Local lit
This morning I interviewed Joseph Suppiger, who has just written a book that takes place on the Milton College campus.
Suppiger lives in Washington state, but he graduated from Milton College. His book sounds like a fun mystery taking place on the defunct campus with flashbacks to the college's glory days. My article about it is scheduled to run Saturday.
This isn't my only experience with local literature. A few weeks ago, I wrote a story about Ida Stenger, who recently celebrated her 101st birthday at St. Elizabeth Nursing Home. She was prominently featured in a memoir, "Growing Up in Monterey Back When," written by her friend Marjorie Van Galder. I didn't read the whole book, but the parts I read were like listening to stories from your grandmother of times past.
A few months ago, my mom, who doesn't even live in Janesville, picked up "A Good and Caring Woman: The Life and Times of Nellie Tallman" from the Tallman House, and she really enjoyed it. And here is a blog Gina Duwe just wrote about some books about Evansville.
Help me out, readers. Are there any other books, fiction or non-fiction, set in this area?
Dec 3, 2009 at 5:56 p.m.
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The Tenants by Bernard Malamud
It's a novel about novel writing.
Its connection to Janesville is only that Hedberg has it.
Dec 2, 2009 at 4:38 p.m.
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Weighing in late, I know, but I just read Den Adler's "To Become a Priest: A Love Story," and enjoyed it a lot when I didn't think I would.
Greg Peck
Dec 1, 2009 at 8:49 a.m.
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Mike DuPre's A Century of Stories.
Photos and comments from the Gazette for the entire 1900s.
Hedberg has it.
Nov 29, 2009 at 3:43 p.m.
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So is this one:
Torso : the story of Eliot Ness and the search for a psychopathic killer
Hedberg has both of them.
Nov 29, 2009 at 3:40 p.m.
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One of the authors of this book is from Janesville:
Baby Face Nelson : portrait of a public enemy / Steven Nickel, William J. Helmer.
Nov 29, 2009 at 8:50 a.m.
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Oppps, "Stacy."
Nov 29, 2009 at 8:49 a.m.
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Stacey has nothing to worry about.
Nov 28, 2009 at 7:47 p.m.
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Watch out Stacy, gazettefan is after your job.
All kidding aside, you both do an excellent job promoting literature. Thank you.
Nov 28, 2009 at 10:20 a.m.
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BostonBill, I'm not the author. Just trying to promote literature and a local author here.
Nov 27, 2009 at 7:54 p.m.
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GF, I'll try to remember but if I don't, you can give me the customary memory jog. Thanks. lol (note to self: I’ve always dreaded doing book reports.)
Nov 27, 2009 at 10:18 a.m.
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BostonBill, don't forget.
Nov 26, 2009 at 9:49 a.m.
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BostonBill, my lack of sophistication in the area of analyzing literary thematic complexities leaves me unqualified to discuss the book.
It is available for purchase at that book store in the strip mall across from the Janesville mall. Or you can get it from the Hedberg library.
Get back to us with a review.
Nov 26, 2009 at 2:31 a.m.
Nov 25, 2009 at 10:44 p.m.
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gazettefan: I'm not familiar with, Den Adler's, "To Become a Priest: A Love Story" and I'm not sure I want to be. However, I do respect your opinion if you choose to enlighten me. Thanks in advance.
Nov 25, 2009 at 10:40 p.m.
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Stacy: You were probably asking about specifics so please forgive me for adding this.
http://www.hedbergpubliclibrary.org/lhd_...
Thank you.
Nov 25, 2009 at 6:44 p.m.
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Does anyone have any opinions on Den Adler's To Become a Priest: A Love Story?
Nov 25, 2009 at 12:31 p.m.
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Skinners Book 1, Blood Blade, by Marcus Pelegrimas, has several scenes set in and around Janesville. While not exactly "classic literature," it isn't a bad story overall. The second book in the series is full of fail though.
Nov 25, 2009 at 11:50 a.m.
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deweeze, i saw a presentation given by clark kidder. and i'm very distantly related to him. interesting stuff!
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also, i know that it's not exactly the janesville area, but james patterson wrote a book that takes place in lake geneva (with a lot of geographical references) called "sam's letters to jennifer". i remember that i was working in lg at the time and they had a big celebration and gave him the key to the city.
Nov 25, 2009 at 8:56 a.m.
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Don Allison's Blackbridge Road.
Nov 25, 2009 at 5:25 a.m.
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"Hopscotch, Hobos, and Foxholes", stories from a writing class at Janesville's Senior Center. A great collection of "reminisce" type stories, with a lot of local flavor.
Nov 24, 2009 at 5:34 p.m.
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Dont forget Clark Kidder's book about his grandmother, Emily Kidder. She came to the area on the Orphan Trains. Its an easy read but yet very enjoyable. Ecspecially since I personally know some of Clark's extended family and they lived in my neighborhood.
Nov 24, 2009 at 4:06 p.m.
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"A GOOD AND CARING WOMAN: The Life and Times of Nellie Tallman" by Julia Hornbostel. Galde Press, 1996
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