Silas House
A celebration of the work of Kentucky writer Silas House is held Sunday, Oct. 25, at 3 p.m., at the Martha Washington Inn & Spa in Abingdon, Virginia. The event is free for everyone and is part of the Sunday with Friends literary series sponsored by the Friends of the Washington County Public Library.
House is among the most highly acclaimed Appalachian writers. He has written nine novels, poetry, plays and a variety of non-fiction. The event is part of his national book tour on the publication of his newest novel, “The Tulip Poplars,” to be released in mid-October.
House is known for his novels about working-class life in eastern Kentucky, especially his trilogy: ”Clay’s Quilt,” “Parchment of Leaves” and “The Coal Tattoo.” In his work, he is always subverting the stereotypes about the culture and people of Appalachia. He says about “Tulip Poplars” that he “wanted to write about Appalachia in a new way, populated not only by farmers and miners but also by teachers and rectors, black folks, queer folks, Hispanic folks, etc. I wanted to show it in its full complexity.”
Also included in the celebration are House’s first full-length book of poetry, “All These Ghosts: Poems” and his first mystery novel, “Dead Man Blues.” His poetry collection blends House’s Appalachian background with his love for the natural world. It expresses in poetic form his touchstone subjects: the loss of rural America as he once knew it, wild places, stories from a lingering past and the abiding connection to family, friends and fellow artists.
“Dead Man Blues” (published under S.D. House) is set in the rural community of Shady Grove on the Kentucky-Tennessee border. The main character, Dave Hendricks, once a pillar of the community, has lost his wife and his job and has retreated to a houseboat on the lake. After two bodies are found on the lake, Hendricks is forced out of seclusion to help law enforcement with the investigation.
The Friends of the Washington County Public Library is a volunteer, non-profit organization whose purpose is to help strengthen the resources of the library and to make it a dynamic force in the community.
There will be book sales and signings following the author presentation. This event is free and open to the public.
