USI will continue the RopeWalk Reading Series by having Adam Johnson, Associate Professor of English at Stanford, read from his published work.
The RopeWalk Reading Series brings a variety of authors to USI in order to give students and faculty an opportunity to hear a published author speak. Senior English major Dawn Paris will have the privilege to introduce Johnson.
“I’m really looking forward to hearing him read, and I’m really looking forward to his visit,” Paris said. “I can’t wait. I think it’s going to be awesome.”
At the event, Johnson will read from one of his books. Paris said she already has a choice in mind.
“His latest novel, hopefully the one he’ll read from, is called the ‘Orphan Master’s Son’ and he set it in North Korea,” Paris said. “It’s about this guy trying to be himself but who has to be in North Korea. It’s just surreal.”
This event is open not only English majors and professors, but to all students and faculty.
“It’s not just for those of us who like creative writing,” Paris said. “It’s for anybody who loves to read or loves literature. It’s an opportunity to maybe hear something that we haven’t heard before or to hear something that we’ve heard before and loved.”
Senior creative writing major Daniel Murphey said he is eager to hear about Johnson’s work, as well.
“I’m just excited to hear him talking about his trip to North Korea to get info,” Murphey said. “Not a lot of people have gone to North Korea. I want to hear about the inside look he got and how much of what’s in the book is actually based on fact and how much he made up.”
Everyone is encouraged to attend the reading, even if students have no idea who the author is, Murphy said.
“(Students) should get away from their computer screens and read a book,” Murphy said.
He said he thinks it’s a good way to learn about North Korea because a lot of people don’t know about this country. It’s also a good way to learn about the author and his work, he said.
“I’ve posted a bunch of interviews on the English major website, the creative writing major website,” Murphy said. “The Facebook page, that is… We just want people to be able to learn a bit about the writer before they show up. This particular writer really has an interesting story about how he has started his books. Getting a lot of that info out there will get people interested and get them showing up when the actual event occurs.”
Johnson’s reading will take place at 5 p.m. on Oct. 4 in the Traditions Lounge on the second floor of UC East. There will be refreshments to follow the reading.
