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Reader’s Guide
Save Savethe theDate! Date! EachEach year,year, thousands thousands of people of people converge converge on the onannual the annual South South Dakota Dakota Festival Festival of Books, of Books, a weekend-long a weekend-long eventevent that features that features moremore than than 50 50 well-known well-known authors authors participating participating in book in book signings, signings, presentations, presentations, panelpanel discussions discussions and readings. and readings. Author Author presentations presentations are separated are separated into into six tracks: six tracks: fiction, fiction, non-fiction, non-fiction, poetry, poetry, children’s/young children’s/young adult,adult, his- history/tribal tory/tribal and writer’s and writer’s support.This support.This year’s year’s Festival Festival of Books of Books will will take take placeplace Sept.Sept. 26-28 26-28 in Sioux in Sioux Falls.Falls. As always, As always, it will it will feature feature national, national, regional regional and South and South Dakota Dakota authors. authors. The The 20142014 headliner headliner will will be One be One BookBook North North and South and South Dakota Dakota author author Kathleen Kathleen Norris, Norris, whose whose bookbook Dakota: Dakota: A Spiritual A Spiritual Geography Geography will will stimulate stimulate discussion discussion of this of year’s this year’s theme, theme, the 125th the 125th anniversary anniversary of statehood. of statehood. OverOver the course the course of 11ofFestivals, 11 Festivals, we have we have featured featured manymany outstanding outstanding writers writers and cultural and cultural figures, figures, suchsuch as Sherman as Sherman Alexie, Alexie, Deborah Deborah Amos, Amos, Roy Roy Blount Blount Jr., Neal Jr., Neal Conan, Conan, Pete Pete Dexter, Dexter, DaveDave Eggers, Eggers, Louise Louise Er- Erdrich, drich, Ian Frazier, Ian Frazier, Jim Harrison, Jim Harrison, Annie Annie Proulx Proulx and Marilynne and Marilynne Rob-Robinson. inson. The The 20132013 eventevent featured featured two Pulitzer two Pulitzer PrizePrize winners, winners, Michael Michael DirdaDirda and Ted and Kooser, Ted Kooser, as well as well as prolific as prolific and popular and popular Western Western mystery mystery writers writers C.J. C.J. Box Box and Craig and Craig Johnson. Johnson. Already Already confirmed confirmed for 2014 for 2014 are are internationally internationally best-selling best-selling crimecrime author author KarinKarin Slaughter Slaughter and prizeand prizewinning winning children’s/young children’s/young adultadult author author Avi, Avi, among among others. others. Many Many moremore will will be confirmed be confirmed throughout throughout the year, the year, so please so please keepkeep an eye an on eyewww. on www. sdbookfestival.com sdbookfestival.com and future and future issues issues of our of e-newsletter our e-newsletter (sign(sign up atup at http://sdhumanities.org/enewsletter.htm). http://sdhumanities.org/enewsletter.htm). NewNew this year this year is a South is a South Dakota Dakota Young Young Readers Readers Festival Festival of Books, of Books, to to be held be held Sept.Sept. 25 at25 theatChildren’s the Children’s Museum Museum of South of South Dakota Dakota in Brookin Brookings.ings. The The lineup lineup of five of select five select children’s/young children’s/young adultadult authors authors will will be be led by ledNational by National Ambassador Ambassador for Young for Young People’s People’s Literature Literature KateKate DiCaDiCamillomillo and New and New YorkYork Times Times best-selling best-selling illustrator illustrator Harry Harry Bliss.Bliss. The The Festival Festival of Books of Books and the andYoung the Young Readers Readers Festival Festival of Books of Books are are organized organized by the bySouth the South Dakota Dakota Center Center for the forBook the Book and the andSouth the South Dakota Dakota Humanities Humanities Council. Council. Please Please contact contact us with us with any questions any questions or comments or comments at 605-688-6113 at 605-688-6113 or or info@sdhumanities.org. info@sdhumanities.org.
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Thank Thankyou youforforparticipating participating ininOne OneBook BookSouth SouthDakota! Dakota! ThisThis program program was was mademade possible possible by the bygenerous the generous financial financial support support of of donors donors across across the state the state and by andthe byfollowing the following people people who who volunteer volunteer to to serveserve on the onSouth the South Dakota Dakota Humanities Humanities Council Council Board Board of Directors: of Directors: Michelle Michelle Deyo-Amende, Deyo-Amende, ChairChair Administrator Administrator
Julie Julie Johnson Johnson Attorney Attorney
ScottScott Rausch Rausch (Governor (Governor Appointee) Appointee) Retired Retired Engineer/Adjunct Engineer/Adjunct University University Faculty Faculty
Rebecca Rebecca Schenk Schenk (Governor (Governor Appointee) Appointee) Retired Retired Teacher Teacher
Carolyn Carolyn ElderElder Becker Becker RadioRadio Station Station Owner Owner
HollyHolly Downing Downing University University Professor Professor
Steven Steven Sanford Sanford Attorney Attorney
JasonJason McEntee McEntee University University Professor Professor
Russell Russell McKnight McKnight Creative Creative Director Director
EldenElden Lawrence Lawrence Retired Retired Professor/Author Professor/Author
Tom Fishback, Tom Fishback, Treasurer Treasurer Banker Banker
Danielle Danielle Ducheneaux Ducheneaux Marketing Marketing Specialist Specialist
Matthew Matthew Moen, Moen, ChairChair ElectElect (Governor (Governor Appointee) Appointee) Academic Academic DeanDean
Fee Jacobsen Fee Jacobsen (Governor (Governor Appointee) Appointee) Retired Retired Entrepreneur Entrepreneur
Dick Dick Brown Brown Development Development Director Director
JudithJudith Meierhenry Meierhenry Retired Retired JudgeJudge
Jean Jean Nicholson, Nicholson, Past Past ChairChair Julie Julie Moore-Peterson, Moore-Peterson, Secretary Secretary Community Community Volunteer/Bookkeeper Volunteer/Bookkeeper Librarian Librarian
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Table Tableofofcontents contents
About AboutOne OneBook BookS.D. S.D.
Dakota: Dakota: A Spiritual A Spiritual Geography Geography serves serves as the as 2014 the 2014 OneOne Book Book for both for both North North Dakota Dakota and and South South Dakota, Dakota, in honor in honor of the of 125th the 125th anniversary anniversary of their of their entryentry into into the union. the union. South South Dakota Dakota Humanities Humanities Council Council will will collaborate collaborate withwith bothboth states’ states’ governments governments and and quasquicentennial quasquicentennial committees committees to plan to plan jointjoint events events commemorating commemorating statehood. statehood. To interact To interact withwith readers readers and and promote promote exploration exploration of the of book’s the book’s themes, themes, Norris Norris will will visitvisit eighteight communities communities throughout throughout the state, the state, culminating culminating in her in her keynote keynote appearance appearance at the at South the South Dakota Dakota Festival Festival of Books, of Books, Sept.Sept. 26-28 26-28 in in Sioux Sioux Falls. Falls. To find To find out when out when and and where where Norris Norris will will be speaking, be speaking, visitvisit http://sdhumanities.org/onebooktours.htm. http://sdhumanities.org/onebooktours.htm. ThisThis year,year, the the SDHC SDHC is pleased is pleased to announce to announce the the launch launch of a of Young a Young Readers Readers OneOne Book Book South South Dakota Dakota pro-program, gram, withwith KateKate DiCamillo’s DiCamillo’s The The Miraculous Miraculous JourJourney ney of Edward of Edward Tulane Tulane serving serving as as the inaugural the inaugural se- selection. lection. DiCamillo DiCamillo will will appear appear at at the South the South Dakota Dakota Young Young Readers Readers Festival Festival of Books of Books in Brookings in Brookings and and the South the South Dakota Dakota Festival Festival of Books of Books in in Sioux Sioux FallsFalls (see (see p. 2 p. for2details), for details), and and 3,000 3,000 copies copies of her of book her book will will be given be given awayaway to third-graders to third-graders and and otherother students students in conjunction in conjunction withwith special special literacy literacy activities. activities. As always, As always, support support is available is available for One for One Book Book South South Dakota Dakota community community reading reading programs programs based based on Dakota. on Dakota. SDHC SDHC will will distribute distribute 3,000 3,000 books books and and reader’s reader’s guides guides to schools, to schools, libraries, libraries, historical historical societies societies and and targeted targeted reading reading groups groups through through our lending our lending library. library. If you If you are interested are interested in holding in holding a One a One Book Book South South Dakota Dakota discussion discussion led led by aby community a community member member or SDHC or SDHC scholar, scholar, please please complete complete a Quick a Quick Grant/ Grant/ OneOne Book Book application application at www.sdhumanities.org. at www.sdhumanities.org. For more For more information, information, contact contact us atus605-688-6113 at 605-688-6113 or info@sdhumanities.org. or info@sdhumanities.org.
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• About About thethe book book • About About thethe author author • Praise Praise forfor thethe book book • Author Author conversation conversation • Discussion Discussion questions questions • About About One One Book Book SDSD • Thank Thank you you
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2014 2014
Sioux Sioux Falls Falls Sept. Sept. 26-28 26-28
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About AboutDakota Dakota “[A] “[A]moving movingand andsubstantial substantialcontribution contributiontotothe the literature literatureofofthe thechanging changingcontemporary contemporaryMidMidwest, west,and anda awelcome welcomereminder reminderofofthe thepeace peacethat that open openspaces spacesand andextended extendedsilences silencescan canconfer.” confer.” —Washington —WashingtonPost PostBook BookWorld World After After experiencing experiencing significant significant success success as aaspoet a poet on on thethe East East Coast, Coast, Kathleen Kathleen Norris Norris returned returned to the to the house house built built by by herher grandparents grandparents in Lemmon, in Lemmon, S.D., S.D., where where sheshe lived lived with with herher latelate husband, husband, poet poet David David Dwyer, Dwyer, forfor more more than than 25 25 years. years. HerHer move move to the to the isolated isolated town town bordering bordering North North andand South South Dakota Dakota waswas thethe inspiration inspiration forfor thethe firstfirst of her of her nonfiction nonfiction books, books, thethe award-winning award-winning bestseller bestseller Dakota: Dakota: A Spiritual A Spiritual Geography, Geography, which which waswas a New a New York York Times Times Notable Notable Book Book of the of the Year Year andand waswas selected selected as one as one of the of the bestbest books books of the of the year year by by Library Library Journal. Journal. With With Dakota, Dakota, Norris Norris creates creates in the in the reader reader an an almost almost hypnotic hypnotic awareness awareness of of being being present present in her in her day-to-day day-to-day life.life. TheThe elemental elemental landscape landscape forced forced herher to to confront confront andand reexamine reexamine herher heritage, heritage, religion, religion, language, language, andand thethe land land itself. itself. Living Living in aincommunity a community “so“so small small thatthat thethe poets poets andand ministers ministers have have to hang to hang outout together,” together,” Norris Norris reveals reveals to us to us thethe contradictions contradictions of small of small town town lifelife on on thethe Great Great Plains, Plains, where where gracious gracious hospitality hospitality blends blends with with provincial provincial wariness, wariness, local local history history is valued is valued butbut writers writers areare suspect, suspect, andand truth truth andand myth myth collide. collide. SheShe provides provides loving loving descriptions descriptions of this of this vastvast andand starkly starkly beautiful beautiful landscape, landscape, of its of its extremes extremes of weather of weather andand topography, topography, andand of its of its townspeople townspeople andand farmfarmers.ers. SheShe alsoalso touts touts thethe rewards rewards of monastic of monastic life,life, which which leads leads herher to atodeeper a deeper understanding understanding of herself. of herself. This This self-knowledge self-knowledge heightens heightens herher appreciation appreciation of of thethe concept concept of community, of community, both both social social andand spiritual, spiritual, andand of how of how wewe might might apply apply monastic monastic values values to daily to daily living living in order in order to attain to attain a stronger a stronger sense sense of of community community andand of self. of self. With With rarerare poetic poetic voice voice andand unsentimental unsentimental vision, vision, Kathleen Kathleen Norris Norris weaves weaves together together thethe lives lives of farmers, of farmers, townsfolk, townsfolk, Native Native Americans, Americans, andand a community a community of Benedictine of Benedictine monks monks whose whose home home is on is on thethe Plains. Plains. This This expansive expansive portrait portrait of the of the Dakotas Dakotas introduces introduces to the to the American American literary literary scene scene thethe forceful, forceful, mature mature voice voice of an of an important important American American writer. writer.
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thisthis playful playful way way of being of being as aasparadigm a paradigm forfor life? life? CanCan it be it be an an element element in our in our own own daily daily lives lives and, and, if so, if so, in what in what way? way? 9. Norris 9. Norris presents presents a series a series of extreme of extreme contrasts contrasts as characteristic as characteristic of western of western Dakota Dakota geography, geography, weather, weather, life,life, history, history, etc.etc. In what In what contexts contexts do do these these extremes extremes occur? occur? How How do do they they affect affect thethe attitudes attitudes of native of native Dakotans Dakotans andand Norris? Norris? 10.10. In several In several places, places, Norris Norris speaks speaks of “the of “the desert desert wisdom wisdom of the of the Dakotas.” Dakotas.” What What areare thethe primary primary qualities qualities of that of that “desert “desert wisdom”? wisdom”? What What is the is the linklink between between thatthat wisdom wisdom andand thethe contemplative contemplative life? life? 11.11. In “Frontier,” In “Frontier,” Norris Norris writes, writes, “The “The spirit spirit of the of the land land is not is not an an abstraction abstraction in western in western Dakota, Dakota, butbut a real a real presence.” presence.” How How does does sheshe make make thisthis evident evident throughout throughout thethe book? book? How How is “the is “the spirit spirit of the of the land” land” a real a real presence presence in the in the lives lives of Dakotans? of Dakotans? What What connections connections areare there there between between thisthis spirit spirit of the of the land land andand Norris’s Norris’s own own spiritual spiritual quest? quest? 12.12. Several Several of Norris’s of Norris’s very very brief brief chapters chapters areare entitled entitled “God “God Is in Is the in the De-Details.” tails.” How How does does sheshe discern discern thethe presence presence of God of God in these in these details? details? 13.13. How How does does Norris Norris illustrate illustrate herher statement, statement, in “Gatsby in “Gatsby on on thethe Plains,” Plains,” thatthat “It “It is the is the community community thatthat suffers suffers when when it refuses it refuses to validate to validate anyany outside outside stanstandards...”? dards...”? How How does does a community a community suffer suffer in such in such a situation? a situation? Does Does Norris Norris present present anyany specific specific communities communities thatthat benefit benefit or suffer or suffer from from either either adopting adopting or resisting or resisting outside outside standards? standards? 14.14. Norris Norris maintains maintains thatthat Dakotans Dakotans feelfeel they they areare “in“in thethe middle middle of the of the world world rather rather than, than, as others as others would would have have it, in it, the in the middle middle of nowhere.” of nowhere.” How How does does sheshe support support thisthis idea idea in the in the book? book? Is itIsenough it enough to change to change your your view view of how of how youyou imagine imagine Dakota? Dakota? 15.15. Comparing Comparing poets poets andand Christians, Christians, Norris Norris writes writes thatthat “we“we areare people people who who believe believe in the in the power power of words of words to effect to effect change change in the in the human human heart.” heart.” How How does does sheshe show show thisthis belief belief at work? at work? Does Does sheshe exhibit exhibit a change a change of heart of heart by by thethe endend of the of the book? book? DoDo we?we? Note: Note: Discussion Discussion questions questions andand Author Author Conversation Conversation provided provided by by Houghton Houghton Mifflin Mifflin Harcourt Harcourt Inc.Inc.
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Discussion Discussion Discussionquestions questions questions We We hope We hope hope thethe following the following following questions questions questions will will stimulate will stimulate stimulate discussion discussion discussion forfor reading for reading reading groups groups groups and and provide and provide provide a deeper a deeper a deeper understanding understanding understanding ofof Dakota: Dakota: of Dakota: AA Spiritual Spiritual A Spiritual GeograGeograGeography phy for phy for every for every every reader. reader. reader. 1. 1. Norris Norris 1. Norris presents presents presents Dakota Dakota Dakota asas “my “my as spiritual “my spiritual spiritual geography, geography, geography, thethe place the place place where where where I’ve I’veI’ve wrestled wrestled wrestled mymy story my story story outout ofout of thethe ofcircumstances the circumstances circumstances ofof landscape landscape of landscape and and inheritance.” and inheritance.” inheritance.” What What What areare the are the circumstances the circumstances circumstances that that make that make make upup herher upstory? her story? story? InIn what what In what ways ways ways dodo thethe do the other other other inhabitants inhabitants inhabitants ofof western western of western Dakota Dakota Dakota experience experience experience this this “spiritual this “spiritual “spiritual geography”? geography”? geography”? 2. 2. InIn addition 2.addition In addition toto providing providing to providing usus with with us awith sense a sense a sense ofof Dakota Dakota of Dakota weather weather weather and and the and the Dakota the Dakota Dakota landscape landscape landscape through through through thethe course the course course ofof a year, aofyear, a year, what what what purposes purposes purposes dodo Norris’s Norris’s do Norris’s “Weather “Weather “Weather Reports” Reports” Reports” serve? serve? serve? DoDo they Do they have they have any have any elements any elements elements inin common common in common that that have that have ahave unifying a unifying a unifying effect effect effect onon thethe onbook? the book? book? 3. 3. There There 3. There areare repeated are repeated repeated references references references toto thethe tocardinal the cardinal cardinal virtues virtues virtues ofof Christianity Christianity of Christianity -- -- -faith, faith, faith, hope, hope, hope, and and charity. and charity. charity. How How How dodo these these do these virtues virtues virtues fitfit into into fitthe into the context the context context ofof life life ofinlife in in thethe Dakotas? the Dakotas? Dakotas? What What What additional additional additional virtues virtues virtues -- -e.g., e.g., -- hospitality e.g., hospitality hospitality -- -does does -- Norris does Norris Norris sugsug-suggest gest have gest have primary have primary primary value, value, value, and and why? and why? why? 4. 4. InIn “The 4.“The In “The Beautiful Beautiful Beautiful Places,” Places,” Places,” Norris Norris Norris writes writes writes that that “especially that “especially “especially inin western western in western Dakota Dakota Dakota wewe live we live inlive in tension tension in tension between between between myth myth myth and and truth.” and truth.” truth.” What What What “myths” “myths” “myths” and andand “truths” “truths” “truths” does does she does she present she present present that that illustrate that illustrate illustrate this this theme? this theme? theme? Does Does Does she she suggest she suggest suggest ways ways ways toto resolve resolve to resolve this this tension, this tension, tension, oror is is itorit characteristic ischaracteristic it characteristic ofof allall of communities? communities? all communities? 5. 5. What What 5. What constitutes constitutes constitutes a healthy a healthy a healthy sense sense sense ofof community community of community inin Norris’s Norris’s in Norris’s view? view? view? What What What areare the are the main the main main characteristics characteristics characteristics ofof such such of asuch community? a community? a community? Can Can such Can such asuch community a community a community exist, exist, exist, oror is is itorit more ismore it more anan ideal ideal an ideal -- -like like --alike monastery a monastery a monastery -- -that that --one that one strives one strives strives forfor but for but but never never never attains? attains? attains? 6. 6. The The 6.concepts The concepts concepts and and varieties and varieties varieties ofof “gossip” “gossip” of “gossip” and and “story” and “story” “story” areare important are important important toto NorNorto Norris.ris. What ris. What What kinds kinds kinds ofof gossip gossip of gossip and and story and story story does does she does she identify, she identify, identify, and and what and what what values values values does doesdoes she she ascribe she ascribe ascribe toto them? them? to them? Does Does Does herher own her own “story” own “story” “story” share share share elements elements elements ofof both? both? of both? 7. 7. What What 7. What role role do role do women women do women play play in play in Norris’s Norris’s in Norris’s rediscovery rediscovery rediscovery ofof faith faith of and faith and worship and worship worship and and inand in herher inexploration her exploration exploration ofof life life ofinlife in thethe inDakotas? the Dakotas? Dakotas? Does Does Does she she see she see a see difference a difference a difference inin in thethe ways the ways ways men men and men and women and women women respond respond respond toto thethe tosame the same same landscape landscape landscape and and various and various various as-as- aspects pects pects ofof spirituality? spirituality? of spirituality? 8. 8. Norris Norris 8. Norris speaks speaks speaks fondly fondly fondly ofof thethe of“playfulness” the “playfulness” “playfulness” ofof monks. monks. of monks. Why Why Why does does she does she view she view view
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About About Aboutthe the theauthor author author Kathleen Kathleen Kathleen Norris Norris Norris is is thethe isaward-winning the award-winning award-winning poet, poet, poet, writer, writer, writer, and and author and author author ofof The The ofNew The New York New York York Times Times Times bestsellers bestsellers bestsellers The The Cloister The Cloister Cloister Walk, Walk, Walk, Dakota: Dakota: Dakota: AA Spiritual Spiritual A Spiritual Geography, Geography, Geography, Amazing Amazing Amazing Grace: Grace: Grace: AA Vocabulary Vocabulary A Vocabulary ofof Faith, Faith, of Faith, and and The and TheThe Virgin Virgin Virgin ofof Bennington. Bennington. of Bennington. Exploring Exploring Exploring thethe spirithe spirispiritual tual life, tual life, her life, her work her work work is is at at once isonce at intimate once intimate intimate and andand historical, historical, historical, rich rich inrich in poetry poetry in poetry and and meditations, and meditations, meditations, brimming brimming brimming with with exasperation with exasperation exasperation and and reverand reverreverence, ence, ence, deeply deeply deeply grounded grounded grounded inin both both in nature both nature nature and andand spirit, spirit, spirit, sometimes sometimes sometimes funny, funny, funny, and and often and often often propro-provocative. vocative. vocative. Norris Norris Norris published published published seven seven seven books books books ofof of poetry poetry poetry before before before penning penning penning thethe award-winning the award-winning award-winning Dakota, Dakota, Dakota, which which which was was inspired was inspired inspired byby herher bymove her move move toto herher tograndparents her grandparents grandparents home home home inin LemLemin Lemmon. mon. mon. InIn Lemmon, Lemmon, In Lemmon, she she joined she joined joined thethe Presbyterian the Presbyterian Presbyterian Church, Church, Church, where where where herher grandher grandgrandmother mother mother had had been had been abeen member a member a member forfor 60for 60 years. years. 60 years. When When When thethe church the church church was was between was between between full-time full-time full-time pastors, pastors, pastors, members members members called called called onon herher ontoher to fillfill to in,in, fill commenting, commenting, in, commenting, “You’re “You’re “You’re aa a writer, writer, writer, you you can you can preach.” can preach.” preach.” InIn 1986 1986 In 1986 she she became she became became anan oblate, oblate, an oblate, oror associate, associate, or associate, ofof a Benedictine aofBenedictine a Benedictine monastery, monastery, monastery, Assumption Assumption Assumption Abbey Abbey Abbey inin North North in North Dakota. Dakota. Dakota. Subsequently, Subsequently, Subsequently, she she spent she spent spent two two years two years years inin in Abbey Abbey Abbey residence residence residence at at thethe atEcumenical the Ecumenical Ecumenical (now (now (now Collegeville) Collegeville) Collegeville) Institute Institute Institute at at St.St. at John’s John’s St. John’s inin Collegeville, Collegeville, in Collegeville, Minnesota. Minnesota. Minnesota. Her Her book Her book book The The Cloister The Cloister Cloister Walk Walk Walk is is structured structured is structured asas a diary aasdiary a diary ofof herher ofmonastic her monastic monastic ex-ex- experience perience perience interspersed interspersed interspersed with with meditations with meditations meditations onon virgin virgin on virgin saints, saints, saints, Emily Emily Emily Dickinson, Dickinson, Dickinson, celibacy, celibacy, celibacy, loneliness, loneliness, loneliness, monogamy, monogamy, monogamy, and and aand hymnist a hymnist a hymnist ofof thethe ofearly the early early church, church, church, Ephrem Ephrem Ephrem ofof Syria. Syria. of Syria. Some Some Some reviewers reviewers reviewers have have compared have compared compared herher portrait her portrait portrait ofof thethe ofworld the world world ofof thethe of the monastics monastics monastics toto thethe towritings the writings writings ofof Thomas Thomas of Thomas Merton. Merton. Merton. Her Her book Her book book Amazing Amazing Amazing Grace Grace Grace continues continues continues herher theme her theme theme that that the that the spiritual the spiritual spiritual world world world is is is rooted rooted rooted inin thethe inchaos the chaos chaos ofof daily daily of daily life. life. In life. In this this Inbook, this book, book, she she sheds she sheds sheds light light on light on thethe onvery the very difvery dif-difficult ficult ficult theological theological theological concepts concepts concepts such such as such as grace, grace, as grace, repentance, repentance, repentance, dogma, dogma, dogma, and and faith. and faith. faith. Her HerHer intention intention intention is is toto tell istell tostories tell stories stories about about about these these these religious religious religious concepts concepts concepts byby grounding grounding by grounding them them them inin thethe inworld the world world inin which which in which wewe live. we live.live. Widowed Widowed Widowed inin 2003, 2003, in 2003, Norris Norris Norris now now resides now resides resides inin Hawaii, Hawaii, in Hawaii, where where where she she volunteers she volunteers volunteers at at at herher local her local local Episcopal Episcopal Episcopal Church. Church. Church. She She travels She travels travels toto thethe tomainland the mainland mainland regularly regularly regularly toto speak speak to speak toto students, students, to students, medical medical medical professionals, professionals, professionals, social social social workers, workers, workers, and and chaplains and chaplains chaplains at at colleges colleges at colleges and and universities, and universities, universities, asas well well as as well as churches churches as churches and and teaching and teaching teaching hospitals. hospitals. hospitals. She She isShe is also also isthe also the the poetry poetry poetry editor editor editor forfor Spirituality for Spirituality Spirituality && Health Health & Health and and the and the nonfiction the nonfiction nonfiction editor editor editor ofof thethe ofSaint the Saint Saint Katherine Katherine Katherine Review. Review. Review.
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Praise Praisefor forDakota Dakota
“A “A moving moving andand substantial substantial contribution contribution to the to the literature literature of the of the changing changing contemporary contemporary Midwest, Midwest, andand a welcome a welcome reminder reminder of the of the peace peace thatthat open open spaces spaces andand extended extended silences silences cancan confer.” confer.” – WASHINGTON – WASHINGTON POST POST BOOK BOOK WORLD WORLD “The “The Great Great Plains Plains maymay never never be quite be quite the the same same after after Dakota…With Dakota…With humor humor andand lyrical lyrical grace, grace, [Norris [Norris is] at is]once at once a pondering a pondering visionary visionary andand a news a news reporter reporter covering covering the the essence essence of what of what there there is toissee to see andand touch touch in ainland a land so vast so vast thatthat it seems it seems more more likelike an ocean an ocean thanthan it does it does earth.” earth.” – SAN – SAN FRANCISCO FRANCISCO CHRONICLE CHRONICLE “Dakota “Dakota is an is act an act of devotion of devotion withwith nothing nothing cloistered cloistered about about it, an it, an endlessly endlessly instructive instructive book.” book.” – NEW – NEW YORK YORK TIMES TIMES BOOK BOOK REVIEW REVIEW “The “The wholehearted, wholehearted, patient patient wisdom wisdom Norris Norris brings brings to, and to, and derives derives from, from, the the region region sheshe hashas chosen chosen to live to live andand work work in amounts in amounts to to genius.” genius.” – AMY – AMY CLAMPITT CLAMPITT “This “This rarerare andand splendid splendid book book tellstells us much us much about about the the history history andand character character of the of the Great Great Plains Plains andand their their inhabitants, inhabitants, andand much much alsoalso about about howhow dwelling dwelling in small in small towns, towns, andand in vast, in vast, remote remote places, places, maymay challenge challenge andand inform inform the the spirit. spirit. TheThe author author makes makes it seem it seem inevitable inevitable that,that, returning returning to her to her ancestral ancestral Dakota, Dakota, sheshe should should develop develop a taste a taste for for simple, simple, concrete concrete language, language, should should be drawn be drawn to the to the wisdom wisdom of the of the desert desert fathers, fathers, andand should should learn, learn, among among other other lessons, lessons, thatthat to embrace to embrace deprivation deprivation is toisbe to free.” be free.” – RICHARD – RICHARD WILBUR WILBUR “This “This book book is aissafehouse a safehouse for for anyone anyone whowho wants wants a meaningful a meaningful lifelife in in the the jetsam jetsam of the of the Midwest Midwest or anywhere.” or anywhere.” – CAROL – CAROL BLY BLY “Kathleen “Kathleen Norris’s Norris’s enthralling enthralling book book reveals reveals the the primordial primordial power power andand beauty beauty inseparable inseparable from from a land a land lessless thanthan hospitable hospitable to humans. to humans. HerHer enterprise enterprise is an is extended an extended metaphor…Like metaphor…Like all good all good metaphors metaphors thisthis oneone is firmly is firmly grounded: grounded: Dakota Dakota is asisreportorial as reportorial as McPhee, as McPhee, as observant as observant of bread-and-butter of bread-and-butter dailiness dailiness as Carol as Carol Bly;Bly; andand Norris Norris evokes evokes skies, skies, weather, weather, the the feelfeel of the of the place, place, as vividly as vividly as the as the bestbest practitioners practitioners of the of the nature nature essay.” essay.” – DENISE – DENISE LEVERTOV LEVERTOV
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Author AuthorConversation Conversation
What What is a is“Spiritual a “Spiritual Geography”? Geography”?
Norris: Norris: At its AtGreek its Greek root,root, geography geography means means “writing “writing about about a place,” a place,” andand the the vast,vast, almost almost sculptured sculptured landscape landscape of the of the western western Dakotas Dakotas has has a spiritual a spiritual quality quality thatthat I couldn’t I couldn’t ignore. ignore. “Spiritual “Spiritual geography” geography” alsoalso describes describes the the wayway a place a place shapes shapes people’s people’s attitudes, attitudes, beliefs, beliefs, myths. myths. TheThe spiritual spiritual geography geography of of the the Plains Plains is complex. is complex. But But the the stark stark beauty beauty of the of the landland -- its--strength its strength -- also -- also inspires inspires strength strength in people, in people, in part in part because because it reminds it reminds us ofushuman of human limits. limits. I I believe believe thatthat the the challenge challenge of living of living on the on the Plains Plains is like is like the the challenge challenge anyany of of us faces us faces in the in the ’90s, ’90s, having having to live to live withwith limits. limits. Why Why do you do you connect connect the the plains plains withwith the the fourth-century fourth-century monastic monastic desert? desert? Norris: Norris: First First of all, of all, many many people people referrefer to the to the Plains Plains as aasdesert, a desert, andand there there are are desert desert hardships hardships here. here. But But anyany desert, desert, if you if you observe observe it long it long enough, enough, offers offers surprising surprising gifts. gifts. Many Many country country people people I know I know tell tell stories stories thatthat havehave the the same same wrywry humor humor as ancient as ancient monastic monastic stories. stories. What What doesdoes monastic monastic life life offeroffer modern modern urban urban people? people? Norris: Norris: A chance A chance to step to step aside aside fromfrom the the noise noise of modern of modern life.life. In aInmonastery a monastery oneone feels: feels: I don’t I don’t havehave to rush, to rush, there’s there’s timetime for everything. for everything. Many Many people people havehave realized realized thatthat we’ve we’ve become become too too competitive competitive andand individualistic individualistic for our for our ownown good. good. We talk We talk about about the the needneed for community for community but but don’t don’t know know howhow to find to find it. Monastic it. Monastic people people havehave hadhad about about 1,500 1,500 years years to experiment, to experiment, andand theythey seem seem to be totrying be trying to nurture to nurture values values thatthat in turn in turn nurture nurture community. community. Why Why did did youyou choose choose these these pieces pieces for the for the book? book? Norris: Norris: I began I began writing writing Dakota Dakota when when I noticed I noticed strange strange reactions reactions to the to the farmfarm crisis crisis in the in the early early 1980s 1980s among among small-town small-town people. people. Writing Writing about about thisthis led led me to mereflect to reflect about about other other aspects aspects of life of life herehere -- gossip, -- gossip, the the rolerole of writers, of writers, andand of truth of truth in small-town in small-town society society -- and, -- and, by extension, by extension, American American society society as aaswhole. a whole. TheThe Dakotas Dakotas are are partpart of that of that larger larger society, society, eveneven though though we’re we’re isolated isolated fromfrom the the mainstream. mainstream. AndAnd we seem we seem to offer to offer a kind a kind of early of early warning warning system. system. How How can can citycity people people make make connections connections to ato“Spiritual a “Spiritual Geography”? Geography”? Norris: Norris: AnyAny place place has has a spiritual a spiritual geography. geography. People People cancan lovelove Brooklyn Brooklyn or or Chicago Chicago as passionately as passionately as aasDakota a Dakota rancher rancher loves loves the the land, land, andand there there is is much much in American in American literature literature thatthat attests attests to this. to this. People People tendtend to create to create small small towns towns wherever wherever theythey are.are. We don’t We don’t livelive in big in big cities cities so much so much as inascommuniin communities ties of friends, of friends, colleagues, colleagues, relatives. relatives.
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