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It’s Official! The Grapes of Wrath is THE Book!
By Shirley Gilbert
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Eight AAUW Fremont members came to champion The Grapes of Wrath as the fourth One Book, One Community choice. They are (left to right) Suzanne Shenfil, Margery Leonard, Genevieve Angelides, Jo Szeto, Shirley Gilbert, Anne MacLeod, with Kathy Bray and Mary Lynn doffing the “funny hat.”
At the November 8th City Council meeting, Fremont Mayor Bob Wasserman read a proclamation into the record that encouraged all citizens to read the AAUW Fremont Branch sponsored book The Grapes of Wrath by California Pulitizer Prize winning author John Steinbeck.
Eight AAUW delegates were there to cheer on the Co-Chair of the One Book, One Community committee Margery Leonard, as she addressed the council and guests and gave the rationale for choosing this essentially California book. With its description of the Dust Bowl migration and depression of the 1930s, Margery pointed out the book’s relevance to today’s hard economic times. She suggested that all council members read the book and, if they have read it before, to read it again for even deeper meaning and significance.
Mayor Wasserman, before reading the proclamation into the record, referred to the AAUW women in the audience as “the ladies with the funny hats.“ He explained that each year AAUW Fremont Branch selects a book for the community to read.
“I’m particularly happy,” said the Mayor, “with the selection of The Grapes of Wrath. It ’s a great American novel. I read it some time ago. There ’s a great story behind the book and an even greater story behind this special California author. I encourage everyone to read this wonderful selection.”
Margery reported that many excellent book talks and enlightening discussion sessions were planned. Mark your calendars for three upcoming ones:
- Tuesday, November 15, 2011 at the Fremont Main Library’s Fukaya Room. Audry Lynch, St. Mary’s College professor and Steinbeck authority will speak on the topic: “ The World of Steinbeck as Reflected in His Work The Grapes of Wrath.”
- Wednesday, December 7 or 14, 2011 (TBA) Visit to San Jose State University’s John Steinbeck library. Stay tuned for more information on this special tour.
- Friday, January 13, 2012: The Grapes of Wrath, the movie, is to be shown at the Edison Theater inside the Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum at 7:00 p.m. More information coming.
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