Celebrate Oregon Author Ursula Le Guin
Posted By: Lisa McGean
Date Posted: 7/21/2009
The Deschutes Public Library is pleased to highlight Oregon author Ursula Le Guin during the month of August with a series of programs and readings as part of the Celebrate Oregon Authors series being offered throughout the year of 2009. All events are free and open to the public.
Ursula Le Guin, was born in 1929 in Berkeley, California, but has been a resident of Portland, Oregon since 1958. She writes both poetry and prose, and in various modes including realistic fiction, science fiction, fantasy, young children’s books, and books for young adults. She has published seven books of poetry, twenty-two novels, over a hundred short stories, four collections of essays, twelve books for children, and four volumes of translation. Few American writers have done work of such high quality in so many forms.
Most of Le Guin’s major titles have remained continuously in print, some for over forty years. Her best known fantasy works, the six Books of Earthsea, have sold millions of copies, and have been translated into sixteen languages. Her first major work of science fiction, The Left Hand of Darkness, is considered epoch-making in the field for its radical investigation of gender roles. Her novels The Dispossessed and Always Coming Home redefine utopian fiction, while the realistic stories of a small Oregon beach town in Searoad show her sympathy with the ordinary griefs of ordinary people.
Three of Le Guin’s books have been finalists for the American Book Award and the Pulitzer Prize, and among the many honors her writing has received are a National Book Award, five Hugo Awards, five Nebula Awards, SFWA’s Grand Master, the Kafka Award, a Pushcart Prize, and the list goes on…
Le Guin leads an intensely private life, with sporadic forays into political activism and steady participation in the literary community of her city, Portland. Having taught writing workshops from Vermont to Australia, she is now retired from teaching, and limits her public appearances mostly to the West Coast.
During the month of August, please join the Deschutes Public Library in celebrating Ursula Le Guin at the following events:
Author Ursula Le Guin
Saturday, August 1st, 2009, 5:00 p.m.
The Bend Public Library, Upstairs
Oregon author Ursula Le Guin reads a selection from her work. Book signing will follow limited to two books. Free and open to the public.
Good Chair, Great Books
Monday, August 3rd, 2009, 12:00 noon
The Sunriver Area Public Library
Join a librarian and other community members for a discussion of Lavinia by Ursula Le Guin. Free and open to the public.
All Things Le Guin
Friday, August 14th, 2009 1:00 p.m.
The La Pine Public Library
Discuss Ursula Le Guin’s books and the movies inspired by them. Special focus on the Earthsea Cycle. Feel free to bring and discuss any of her other books, poems and short stories. Looking for books like hers? We’ll compile a list of read-alikes together. Snacks provided. Free and open to the public.
READ! WATCH! DISCUSS!
Thursday, August 20, 2009
5:30 p.m.
Bend Public Library, Brooks Room
Showing of The Lathe of Heaven. See the film this week, then join us July 23rd for a discussion of both the film and book by Ursula Le Guin.
Sheila, 312-1039
sheilag@dpls.us
The Mystery of Black Holes
Friday, August 21, 2009
12:00 noon
Redmond Public Library
Former volunteer with the US Forest Service, Pete Deal offers insight and information about black holes.
Liz, 312-1032
lizg@dpls.us
READ! WATCH! DISCUSS!
Thursday, August 27, 2009
5:30 p.m.
Brooks Room, Bend Public Library
Discuss the book and the film The Lathe of Heaven by Ursula Le Guin.
Sheila, 312-1039
sheilag@dpls.us
Your Home: The Milky Way Galaxy
Thursday, August 27
12:00 noon
Sisters Public Library
Former volunteer with the US Forest Service, Pete Deal highlights the Milky Way.
Liz, 312-1032
lizg@dpls.us
People with disabilities needing accommodations (alternative formats, seating or auxiliary aides) should Lisa at 312-1034 or lisam@dpls.us