The tragedies of death and family will be the focus of a reading by Northwest author Kim Stafford Thursday, April 11, at 7:30 p.m. in the Austin Reading Room of the Jereld R. Nicholson Library at Linfield College.
The reading will feature Stafford’s newest book, “100 Tricks Every Boy Can Do: A Memoir,” which is about his brother’s suicide. Discussing the themes of family, brotherhood and death, the memoir captures the complexities of losing a loved one. Stafford preserves his brother’s dignity and respectability by giving enough detail about his brother’s life to connect to readers but being discreet about the amount of personal information revealed. After struggling to write this story for 24 years, Stafford published his memoir in September 2012.
In addition to discussing the book itself, Stafford will talk about his writing process and will sign books, which will be available at the event. Stafford will also hold a question and answer period as well as share videos and play songs on his guitar.
Stafford is the son of William Stafford, one of Oregon’s most famous poets. Stafford attended the University of Oregon, where he earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in English as well as a doctorate in Middle English literature. Stafford is a professor at Lewis and Clark College and is also the author of more than a dozen books in multiple genres, including poetry like his father. He has worked as an oral historian, letterpress printer, editor, photographer, teacher, and visiting writer in communities and colleges across the United States and various countries. Stafford has made numerous contributions to Oregon literature and has received several awards for his work.
This event is free and open to the public. It is sponsored by Nicholson Library and the Linfield College English Department. For more information, contact Susan Barnes Whyte, college librarian, at 503-883-2517 or swhyte@linfield.edu.
