Southeastern Louisiana University

Residents invited to join in 'One Book/Three Parishes' -- community read of Walker Percy novel

Contact: Christina Chapple

9/8/06

Southeastern Louisiana University faculty members, from left, Richard Louth, Dayne Sherman, and Jim Walter will host “One Book/Three Parishes,” a community read of the Walker Percy novel “The Thanatos Syndrome,” Sept. 28-Oct. 22. They will host introductory lectures and concluding roundtable discussions at public libraries in Hammond, Covington and the town of Livingston.

     HAMMOND – Residents of Tangipahoa, St. Tammany and Livingston parishes – and anyone else who wants to participate – are invited to join in “One Book/Three Parishes,” a public reading project sponsored by Southeastern Louisiana University Sept. 28-Oct. 22.

     The selected book is “The Thanatos Syndrome,” the final novel of the late Walker Percy, the acclaimed novelist and author of “The Moviegoer” and “Love in the Ruins” who lived in Covington.

     Staging a three-parish community read based on the popular “One Book/One City” program was the idea of three Southeastern faculty members, English professors Jim Walter and Richard Louth and librarian-author Dayne Sherman. Each will offer an introductory lecture and moderate a concluding round table discussion at public libraries in Hammond, Covington and the town of Livingston.

     “One Book/Three Parishes,” said Walter, head of Southeastern’s Honors Program, “is an opportunity to promote a Louisiana author of major literary prominence” and to whet readers’ interest in the upcoming annual Walker Percy Symposium, scheduled for Nov. 4 at the Greater Covington Center.

     “It’s a firecracker of a book,” said Sherman, a Southeastern graduate who has garnered praise for his own writing, including his first novel, “Welcome to the Fallen Paradise.” Sherman said the setting of “The Thanatos Syndrome” – between Baton Rouge and Bogalusa – should also pique the interest of area readers.

     To get a head start on their enjoyment and understanding of the book, readers are invited to introductory lectures by Walter on Sept. 26, 6:30 p.m., at Hammond Library, 314 E. Thomas St.; Louth, director of the Southeast Louisiana Writing Project, on Sept. 27, at the Covington Library, 310 W. 21st Ave.; and Sherman on Sept. 28, 5 p.m., at the Livingston Library, 13986 Florida Blvd.

     After the read, participants can share their ideas about the novel at roundtable discussions at the Hammond Library, Oct. 24, 6:30 p.m.; Covington Library, Oct. 25, 6:30 p.m., and Livingston Library, Oct. 26, 5 p.m.

     Supported by a grant from the Baton Rouge Area Foundation, “One Book/Three Parishes” is free. Books are available at libraries and can also be purchased at local bookstores and online, the faculty members said.

     Walter described “The Thanatos Syndrome” as “a gripping futuristic novel.” Its adult content may not be appropriate for young readers, he added.

     “The main character,” said Walter, “ is a brainy psychiatrist on a downward spiral after serving time for drug-peddling. He comes home to find out his wife has run off with another man, his children are in danger, and a bunch of rogue social engineers have just been funded to ‘treat’ the area water supply with a substance that’s supposed to reduce crime and poverty. From that point the plot gets thicker and thicker – like a good roux.”

     For additional information about “One Book/Three Parishes,” contact the Southeastern Honors Program office, 985-549-2135.