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[percy-l] Announcement: Proposed Percy Slow Reading Group (for July)

From: "Henry P. Mills III" <wppdirector AT gmail.com>
To: "Percy-L: Literary and Philosophical Discussion" <percy-l AT lists.ibiblio.org>
Subject: [percy-l] Announcement: Proposed Percy Slow Reading Group (for July)
Date: Fri, 21 Jun 2024 08:43:22 -0400

Dear Percy-L Community,

As we have successfully done in past summers with other Percy novels -- and in celebration of the recent release of the Library of America edition of The Moviegoer -- I would like to propose a slow reading group of the MG for the month of July.

If our past slow reading group discussions have proven anything, they show that there is always more to learn from Percy's fiction and his insights by approaching it collectively and through written means. A group reading of The Moviegoer through the listserv should therefore yield fresh, if not different interpretations of the novel than from our past readings of it as individuals, as well as offer the group some enjoyment as a summer activity.

INVITATION

At this time I invite all Percy-L members to announce their wish to participate in this slow reading of The Moviegoer so we can get a sense how many readers will join in. The reading should last 4-5 weeks.

Now may/could be an ideal time to invite your colleagues, friends, or family to participate in this reading to introduce them to Percy given that The Moviegoer is considered his "classic" novel and is a National Book Award winner. They may sign up at: https://lists.ibiblio.org/sympa/info/percy-l to participate.

START DATE / ANY BOOK EDITION

I propose to the group a start date of either Friday, June 28 or July 5 for beginning discussion (one week from today or two weeks from today, respectively). However, the group can choose a date according to consensus. Note that it is not necessary to use the new Library of America edition, though you can purchase the book for your personal library at the link below. Any edition of the book is fine.

WEEKLY VOLUNTEER LEADER (Opening Post)

Percy-L members are invited to announce also at this time their potential desire to serve as a volunteer reading leader for a given Friday of their choosing. Each leader posts an informal personal response, questions, or quotes from the novel to jumpstart discussion for their week's chapter or section. Posts can be of any length and of any reader level. (Thanks go to Janet Cantor for her ever-reliable contributions by volunteering to serve as a leader to make an opening post for a selected week this time.)

I look forward to another lively and stimulating reading of Percy this summer!

Please announce your wish to participate at this time, or contact me directly with any questions.

Best wishes in Percy,

Henry Mills

Director

The Walker Percy Project

wppdirector AT gmail.com

Link to Join Percy-L: https://lists.ibiblio.org/sympa/info/percy-l

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NEW PERCY BOOK:

Walker Percy, Library of America edition (2024), edited by Paul Elie

https://www.loa.org/books/the-moviegoer-other-novels-1961-1971/