Wayne County to read Bradbury novel [The Wilson Daily Times, N.C.]

(Wilson Daily Times (NC) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Sep. 28--GOLDSBORO -- Wayne County readers will have a chance in 2010 to explore a world where getting caught with a book could cost you your home, family or even your life.

Wayne County Reads has chosen its next book, "Fahrenheit 451" by Ray Bradbury, a classic science fiction novel first published in 1953 but still relevant today, organizers say.

"This book describes an America where citizens disdain reading," said Tara L. Humphries, chair of the steering committee. "They interact mostly with large video screens in their homes or electronic devices in their ears, which sounds similar to the technology we have today and our relationship with it." "Fahrenheit 451" was chosen by Wayne County readers in a 2008 survey as a favorite for a future campaign.

The committee is announcing its selection during "Banned Books Week," Sept. 26-Oct. 3, the annual effort by the American Library Association to celebrate the freedom to read.

Censorship is a major theme of Bradbury's novel, in which the lead character, Montag, is a "fireman" called out to destroy homes where books are found.

Bradbury drew inspiration for his novel from Nazi Germany burning books in the 1930s and '40s, but censorship has been practiced in nearly every country and era, including today in the U.S., Humphries said. The Bible, most religious texts and many popular novels have been suppressed at times. Even "Fahrenheit 451" was censored for 13 years by its publisher without Bradbury's knowledge.

"We want Wayne County residents to remember this year how fun and important it is to read," she said.

Wayne County Reads will kick off with a talk about "Fahrenheit 451" and Bradbury. The event will be held on Monday, Feb. 1, 2010, 7 p.m., at Moffatt Auditorium in the Wayne Learning Center (main building) on the Wayne Community College campus on Wayne Memorial Drive, Goldsboro.

The special guest will be acclaimed science fiction novelist John Kessel, who is a two-time winner of the Nebula Award, presented annually by Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America to celebrate excellence in science fiction and fantasy writing.

Kessel's "Pride and Prometheus" was named best novelette of 2008. The story was also nominated for a 2009 Hugo Award. Since 1982, he has been an English professor at N.C. State University and heads its creative writing program.

Check www.waynecountyreads.com this fall and winter for updates and more information.

To learn more about Banned Books Week, go to www.ala.org/bbooks Wayne County Reads is a one book, one-community project started in 2004. Partners are the Arts Council of Wayne County, Mount Olive College, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, Wayne Community College, Wayne County Historical Association, Wayne County Public Library, and Wayne County Public Schools.

mshaw@wilsontimes.com -- 265-7878 To see more of The Wilson Daily Times or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.wilsondaily.com/.

Copyright (c) 2009, The Wilson Daily Times, N.C.

Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.

For reprints, email tmsreprints@permissionsgroup.com, call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA.

[ Back Hosted VoIP Global Community's Homepage ]

Hosted VoIP

Wayne County to read Bradbury novel [The Wilson Daily Times, N.C.]

The World's Largest Communications And Technology Community