Best-Selling Author Stops in Boise Tonight

Author Jesmyn Ward stops in Boise tonight to support her book, Sing, Unburied, Sing.  It's been noticed by the New York Times, TIME Magazine, and Barack Obama, and many fans in Boise too.

Sing, Unburied, Sing is the third novel by Jesmyn Ward, and the minute it came out last fall it started getting positive reviews from critics.  By the end of the year, Amazon says it had earned these honors and more:

WINNER of the NATIONAL BOOK AWARD for FICTION

A TIME MAGAZINE BEST NOVEL OF THE YEAR and A NEW YORK TIMES TOP 10

Finalist for the Andrew Carnegie Medal

13-year old Jojo is the main character in the book and he's raised by his grandparents in Mississippi, because his mother is a drug addict and his father is in jail.  When Jojo's dad is released from jail he packs Jojo and his baby sister in the car and takes them on a wild journey that involves "meth induced highs," and weaves in and out of the past and present.

Boise Weekly points out that Jojo's story includes many encounters with the past that Ward could most effectively explore through ghosts, hence the "unburied" reference in the title.  The New York Times said it's the "story of three generations and the ghosts that haunt them, and a portrait of what ordinary folk in dire circumstances cleave to as well as what they — and perhaps we all — are trying to outrun."

No wonder tonight's event is sold out!  Jesmyn Ward will be in Boise tonight as part of the Cabin Readings and Conversations series at the Egyptian Theater, 700 W. Main.

Even if we can't get in to see this talented author tonight, the book might be good company for these cold winter nights by the fire.  And a good conversation-starter.