The Sweet Hereafter is a moving work of fiction that examines what weaves a community together and how tragedy can tear that fabric apart. Following a deadly school bus accident in a small town in the Adirondacks, four characters narrate their individual truths about the event. In doing so, Dolores Driscoll, Billy Ansel, Mitchell Stephens and Nichole Burnell show us how relative a matter truth is, shaped by perspective, emotion and the need to establish (or absolve) guilt.
Choosing a book for the entire community to read and discuss is a job I’ve both embraced and dreaded during the three years Wilton Reads! has taken place. Finding a title that will spark discussion about not only plot, characters, and style, but also the weightier issues of community attributes and values has been a challenge. Planning a culminating event for Wilton Reads! has been positively daunting. Authors are often unavailable to speak and alternative formats (DVD, large print, CD) may not have been produced or may be of inferior quality. Despite these hurdles, I believe Wilton Reads! 2007 is following in the successful footsteps of its predecessors – and with an added method of participation – the Library’s first blog.