I Heart Oswego - Reading Initiative Novelist Karen Joy Fowler to Speak Sept 30

Tuesday, 15 September 2015 18:52

Reading Initiative Novelist Karen Joy Fowler to Speak Sept 30

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Probing relationships -- Novelist Karen Joy Fowler will appear at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 30, in Sheldon Hall ballroom to offer a free public presentation on her New York Times bestseller, "We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves." This year's Oswego Reading Initiative book, the novel unflinchingly yet humorously illuminates the unusual and powerful relationship between "sisters," one of them a chimpanzee. Submitted photo

New York Times-bestselling novelist Karen Joy Fowler, who wrote about a unique human-chimpanzee bond in "We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves," will offer a free public presentation at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 30, in Sheldon Hall ballroom at SUNY Oswego.

This year's Oswego Reading Initiative book, the novel explores life from the perspective of Rosemary Cooke, a child morphing to young adult, and her primate "sister" Fern, weaving a humorous, poignant and multilayered plot around the theme of scientific experimentation with animals as well as animal rights.

Rameen Mohammadi, the college's associate provost and chair of the Oswego Reading Initiative, said he is excited about Fowler's day at SUNY Oswego. Earlier, at 3 p.m. Sept. 30, Fowler will make an appearance aimed at creative writing and other students in Marano Campus Center auditorium.

"Fowler's early presentation for Living Writers (Series) will give students a chance to ask her some of their questions, while her speech for the reading initiative later that night will focus more on her book, 'We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves,'" he said.

Mohammadi added, "I’m thrilled for the students attending because it gives them a chance to learn about the real creative process that authors go through, and it could inspire countless students."

The campus-community ORI committee chose Fowler's book from a group of over 130 to be the campus-wide reading focus for this fall, because "it was so well-written and makes interesting statements about both animal treatment and the human experience," he said. Incoming students were asked to read Fowler's novel over the summer in anticipation of classroom discussions and presentations this fall. The initiative also invites others on campus and in the greater Oswego community to read along.

Author of six novels, Fowler won a 2014 PEN/Faulkner Award for "We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves." An earlier novel, "The Jane Austen Book Club," also was a New York Times bestseller.

Parking on campus requires a $1 permit for those who do not have a current SUNY Oswego parking sticker. For more information on parking, visit oswego.edu/administration/parking. Persons with disabilities needing accommodations to attend this event should contact the Office of the Associate Provost in advance at 315-312-2232.