Pulitzer Prize-winning author Richard Russo headlines the Wilmette Public Library’s One Book, Everybody Reads program this year, featuring two of his novels, “Nobody’s Fool,” published in 1993, and “Everybody’s Fool,” the sequel that was released May 3.
One Book, Everybody Reads is the Wilmette Public Library’s annual community-wide reading and book discussion program, funded by the Friends of the Wilmette Public Library. Each year, local residents are encouraged to read selected titles and participate in a series of events that explore the book and its themes. The program includes several community events, including this year a talk by Russo about both books on May 14 at Wilmette Jr. High School.
The selection of a featured book is a yearlong process involving a committee of four librarians who review recently published titles in order to identify those that will appeal to the community.
“Russo is a beloved author and writes about the human condition with a wry sense of humor,” said Betty Giorgi, head of Adult Services at the Wilmette Public Library. “Readers here appreciate a well told story and richly drawn characters and Russo delivers on both.”
“Nobody’s Fool” tells the story of Donald “Sully” Sullivan, a hard-luck guy in the deadbeat town of North Bath in upstate New York.
“I almost never return to characters from previous books,” Russo said. “I’m not against the practice, but in a good book its most important characters have resolved their conflicts, which is another way of saying that the dramatic tension is gone. Either you have to give them a whole new conflict, or focus perhaps on a minor character from the earlier book. I use both of these strategies in ‘Everybody’s Fool.'”
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Russo was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction for his 2001 book, “Empire Falls.” He has written six other novels, two collections, and the memoir “Elsewhere,” published in 2012.
“Russo has a body of work that connects the reader with a distinct time and place populated with characters who touch both our hearts and souls,” Giorgi said. “He writes what he knows and creates characters and stories that are authentic and bursting with humanity.”
One Book, Everybody Reads events
What: A series of events related to the Wilmette Public Library’s initiative. This year’s book selections are Richard Russo’s “Nobody’s Fool” and “Everybody’s Fool.” All programs are free and open to the public and take place at the library unless otherwise noted. Go to www.wilmettelibrary.info/onebook or call (847) 256-6930.
2 p.m. May 14 — Author Richard Russo discusses “Nobody’s Fool” and “Everybody’s Fool” at Wilmette Jr. High School Auditorium, 620 Locust Road, Wilmette. No tickets necessary. A book signing will follow the program.
7 p.m. June 2 — Independent Bookstores: Alive and Kicking! Representatives from The Book Stall in Winnetka, Bookends & Beginnings in Evanston and Women & Children First in Chicago discuss the current state of independent bookstores.
7 p.m. June 22 — Evening Readers Book Discussion of “Everybody’s Fool,” led by a librarian.