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percy-l - Re: [percy-l] INVITATION: Join this summer's Walker Percy Slow Reading Group - (Starts Friday, June 5)

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  • From: Karey Perkins <kareyperkins AT gmail.com>
  • To: percy-l AT lists.ibiblio.org
  • Cc: Karey Perkins <kareyperkins AT gmail.com>
  • Subject: Re: [percy-l] INVITATION: Join this summer's Walker Percy Slow Reading Group - (Starts Friday, June 5)
  • Date: Sat, 23 May 2026 00:00:34 -0400

Henry, you can also include me for introductory posts/discussion questions as well if you need someone to do so…

KP

On May 22, 2026, at 11:03 PM, Karey Perkins <kareyperkins AT gmail.com> wrote:

I vote for including Cosmos as well in the annual timeline —it was Percy’s most successful (sales, etc.) book.

KP

Sent from my iPhone

On May 22, 2026, at 10:26 PM, John L Pearson <johnlpearson AT icloud.com> wrote:

Rhonda and Percy-L!

I like your idea of going chronologically. I’d be for including Cosmos, which I go back to every few years and think is a wonder. Might lead to a different kind of discussion, but I’m sure a fruitful one. 
It has been a couple decades anyway since I read Love in the Ruins, so it’s time. It would be great for a group read here. The last time I read it was with a book group where no one was familiar with Percy, so reading it with this group I know would bring out different insights. I remember it as being one of Percy’s funniest books. 

I will be on vacation the last half of June, so depending on the timeline will chime in less those couple weeks and will catch up. Always good to see activity on the Percy-L when it comes for the summer slow read.

John


On May 22, 2026, at 5:24 PM, RHONDA MCDONNELL <rhonda_mcdonnell AT msn.com> wrote:

Hello Percy-L! 

I'm in for the summer read, and I'm glad to volunteer my services, such as they are, for introductory posts/discussion questions.

Love in the Ruins is next chronologically, and perhaps that's what makes sense — to work through the list chronologically. We would read each book every six years (or every seven if we include Lost in the Cosmos). It would simplify decision making, and we would know what comes next each year. 

'24 Moviegoer
'25 The Last Gentleman
'26 Love in the Ruins
'27 Lancelot
'28 The Second Coming
'29 Thanatos Syndrome

If Lost in the Cosmos is included, it would be in '29 with Thanatos in '30.

Just a thought!

R—

Rhonda McDonnell

"You live in a deranged age, more deranged than usual, because in spite of great scientific and technological advances, man has not the faintest idea of who he is or what he is doing." ~Walker Percy~
  


From: percy-l-request AT lists.ibiblio.org <percy-l-request AT lists.ibiblio.org> on behalf of Henry P. Mills III <wppdirector AT gmail.com>
Sent: Thursday, May 21, 2026 9:40 PM
To: Percy-L: Literary and Philosophical Discussion <percy-l AT lists.ibiblio.org>
Subject: [percy-l] INVITATION: Join this summer's Walker Percy Slow Reading Group - (Starts Friday, June 5)
 
Dear Percy-L Community and friends,

As in previous summers, we’ll be forming a slow reading group around a Percy novel, to be chosen by the group in the next few days. This year’s discussion will begin two weeks from today, Friday, June 5, and continue for six weeks. Typically, we cover 60 pages a week, depending on your edition of the novel we choose.

If our past groups have shown anything, it is that reading Percy together -- and responding in writing -- continually opens new layers of collective insight and fresh meaning. The slower pace of email discussion allows time for reflection and more thoughtful responses to one another.  Last summer, we enjoyed a close reading of the Last Gentleman after reading the Moviegoer the preceding summer.

If you’d like to participate, please announce your interest now, as well as indicate your preference for this summer's novel. Feel free to share your background thoughts about your choice, and we will come to a group consensus in the next few days.

If you’d be willing to volunteer a short opening post or discussion questions one Friday, it would also be helpful to know that at this time. Volunteers are not expected to lead discussion beyond their post to the group for their week.

Please forward this invitation to friends, colleagues, and family members who may be interested in discovering Percy’s writings, even if they only wish to listen in. I look forward to another rewarding summer of reading Percy together, and I hope you’ll join us. 

Best wishes in Percy,
Henry Mills


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__
Henry P. Mills III
Director, The Walker Percy Project
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USING PERCY-L
* Read Percy-L Charter and Policies: https://ibiblio.org/wpercy/listserv/charter-policies.html
* Manage Your Membership: https://lists.ibiblio.org/sympa/info/percy-l
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LISTSERV ARCHIVES
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