O’Connor readings begin in April
Internationally celebrated author Flannery O’Connor will be honored by her hometown city of Milledgeville through reading and discussing her works this summer.
This exceptional program, “Milledgeville Reads O’Connor,” will take place from April through September as a part of the city’s bicentennial year celebration.
The program will culminate with a major symposium on O’Connor at Georgia College & State University in October.
Dr. Sarah Gordon, a GC&SU professor of English, is very excited about the chance to bring the works of O’Connor to the citizens of Milledgeville.
“That’s exactly why I initiated the program,” said Gordon. “In preparation of the fall symposium, we wanted people in the community to have the chance to read and learn about O’Connor.”
Kimberley Barker, coordinator of programming and promotions for the Ina Dillard Russell Library, also wants the citizens of Milledgeville to experience O’Connor’s work.
“Milledgeville is so important to the University, and any time we have the opportunity to involve the town we love to do so,” said Barker. “We hope to have people interested by the time the symposium comes around.”
“Milledgeville Reads O’Connor” kicked off March 18. People are invited to pick up a free copy of “The Complete Stories of Flannery O’Connor” at the Mary Vinson Memorial Library. Copies will be available until they run out. The book and sign up for the reading program are both free of
charge.
“Milledgeville Reads O’Connor” is sponsored by the Mary Vinson Memorial Library, Flannery O’Connor Revelations Committee and the GC&SU Ina Dillard Russell Library. Three discussion groups will take place simultaneously at the Mary Vinson Memorial Library, Georgia Military College and the GC&SU Ina Dillard Russell Library.
Barker is pleased to bring O’Connor’s work to the citizens of Milledgeville.
“I think mostly what we are hoping to do is provide an opportunity and a forum for people to read and discuss her work,” said Barker.
“The Mary Vinson Memorial Library really came through with the books, and the rest will be participation of readers,” said Gordon. “We only ask that people picking up their free books will sign up for the discussion groups, so we will know how many people to expect.”
The groups will be held by local teachers and students of O’Connor’s works. Craig Amason, Shannon Davis and Beth Sumner will lead the informal discussions.
Tara Reed, a junior at GC&SU, is eager to attend the discussion sessions.
“I love Flannery O’Connor and I can’t wait to read more of her work. I’m really excited to get feedback from other people in the discussion groups,” said Reed.
Gordon is hopeful about the possibilities of “Milledgeville Reads O’Connor” and encourages everyone to participate in the informal
reading group.
“I think it’s a wonderful program. I don’t want people to be afraid to come,” said Gordon. “This will not be a lecture, just a discussion of what they are reading. Getting some of those attitudes and ideas out about what they are reading will be great.”
Gordon is retiring from her position at GC&SU this spring, but plans to remain involved in the reading circle and the October symposium.
“I’m officially retiring in May, but I’m going to be staying around through the summer for the reading circle and the symposium in October,” said Gordon. “The reading program is my baby, so I will be involved.”
The symposium, “REVELATIONS: Flannery O’Connor, the Visionary and the Vernacular,” is scheduled to take place Oct. 8 through 11. Gordon is pleased with the interest already shown by people across the country and the world, and hopes to increase interest within the city.
“I think that Milledgeville doesn’t really know what they have yet,” said Gordon. “Flannery O’Connor is a nationally and internationally renowned author, and some people don’t know anything about her.”
Barker also feels that the citizens of Milledgeville should embrace O’Connor’s work.
“Flannery O’Connor is so important to Milledgeville because this is where
she lived and drew so much inspiration for her writing,” said Barker.
Although Gordon is retiring from GC&SU this spring, she remains
confident about the present and future accomplishments for the Flannery O’Connor studies.
“I’m pleased with the work that my colleagues and I have done over the past 30 years. Things are looking very good,” said Gordon. “My successor, Bruce Gentry, will carry on the torch. Everyone is working well together and I have great hopes about the future of O’Connor studies.”
For more information on “REVELATIONS: Flannery O’Connor, the Visionary and the Vernacular,” contact Dr. Sarah Gordon at 445-6928 or visit the REVELATIONS website: http://www.gcsu.edu/revelations.
Posted by Colonnade Archives
on Mar 21 2003. Filed under News.
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