PUTNEY — The Putney community is invited to participate in the statewide read of Salman Rushdie's Haroun and the Sea of Stories, the 2015 Vermont Reads selection from the Vermont Humanities Council.
This funny and touching story of a father and son is, at its heart, a reflection on the importance of stories, imagination, and creativity.
Vermont Reads brings communities together around stories, ideas, and activities that are important to the life of towns of all sizes.
In Haroun, Rushdie has created his own fantastic folktale, modern yet steeped in the narrative traditions of world cultures. The story features storyteller Rashid Khalifa and his young son, Haroun. A great upheaval in their family causes Rashid to lose his voice, his stories, and possibly, the family's livelihood.
Haroun's challenge - complete with water genies and talking fish - is to unclog the Sea of Stories and restore his father's storytelling abilities.
Copies of Haroun and the Sea of Stories are available at the Putney Public Library. The following events are also coming up:
StorySHARE, Thursday Aug. 13, at 7 p.m., Putney Public Library The library, in partnership with the Putney School and Putney Central School, are hosting a Moth-style StorySHARE to go along with the themes of Haroun. Participants will have 5 minutes to share a personal story or family fairy tale with an appreciative audience. Come to share or just listen.
Book Discussions, Thursday, Aug. 20, at 7 p.m., at The Putney School's Currier Center Putney School teachers will facilitate two book discussions - one for adults and one for young readers - to explore the themes and related ideas of Rushdie's book. The school's kitchen will prepare a few light snacks and refreshments for the event.
Coming later in the month will be an all-ages community art project related to Rushdie's book, sponsored by Putney Central School's art teacher Ellen Tumavicus.