INTERPRETING DREAMS
DHF Presents Books and Authors Series 

DHF presents a books and authors series this summer with novels that interpret the diverse history of the state's people. The three featured novels span two centuries and describe the lives of runaway slaves before the Civil War, the immigrants who fashioned Wilmington's Little Italy after World War II, and today's newcomers redefining themselves as Americans. The series theme is "Interpreting Dreams"-the dreams of people struggling to survive slavery, fit in with post-war America or find their bearings despite cultural disorientation. Each book is beautifully written, heartfelt, insightful and has some basis in Delaware culture.

The final book talk of the 2009 summer series is coming soon:

On Friday, August 14 at 7pm, participants will discuss The Language of Good-bye by Maribeth Fischer. Love, marriage and life in a new country all require learning a new language. A teacher of English and a Korean-born student in her class find themselves at a loss for words when undreamed-of choices and duty conflict. Author Maribeth Fischer of Rehoboth Beach drew from her experience teaching English as a second language.

This session takes place at Presto!, located at 1201 Washington Street. Fischer will be on hand to talk about The Language of Good-bye. Performed by actors from City Theater Company of Wilmington, the evening will begin with a brief dramatic reading of the featured novel.

This books and authors program is part of Delaware Humanities Forum's 35th anniversary celebration, Picturing Delaware: Inside and Outside the Frame which has been made possible by the National Endowment for the Humanities.

RSVPs are appreciated. Email rsvp@dhf.org. There is no fee to participate. Wilmington's Ninth Street Book Shop has copies of the books for sale.

Contact Program Administrator Margaret G. Winslow at (302) 657-0650.

***

Sorry you missed these successful book talks:

On Friday, June 19, participants discussed Song Yet Sung by James McBride.  Before the Civil War, runaway slaves flee through the swamps of Maryland's Eastern Shore, chased by Patty Cannon's gang of kidnappers. The Code of the Underground Railroad tells them how to go. But fugitive Liz Spocott has strange dreams of the future.

Percussionist Kamau Ngom performed African drum music and talk about the African connection to blues music, country shouts, and the Underground Railroad.

On Wednesday, July 15, participants discussed The Saint of Lost Things by Christopher Castellani.  It is 1953 in Wilmington's Little Italy, and immigrant bride Maddalena Grasso struggles to feel at home. Her husband Antonio dreams of owning his own restaurant, yet abets a plot to demean a neighbor. Author Christopher Castellani grew up in the city, inspired by his parents' emigration from Italy after World War II.

Castellani was on hand to talk about The Saint of Lost Things and preview his third novel, which continues Maddalena's story. His trilogy started with A Kiss from Maddalena which described his heroine's girlhood in an Italian country village before and during World War II. Chris's parents, who live in Wilmington, were with him.