WALTER EVENTS

from WALTER Magazine - May 2018

The Whirl

A STORIED TIME

with Allan Gurganus

WALTER readers gathered at Whitaker & Atlantic March 25 for an afternoon of inspiration and humor with North Carolina writer Allan Gurganus. The Rocky Mount native is a New York Times bestselling author, most notably for the novel Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tells All. His essays and stories have won the National Magazine Prize and been honored in Best American Stories; and his next novel will publish next year.

Over arugula-endive salad and prosciutto-and-steak tartines, Gurganus engaged the audience with stories and wisdom from his experiences – as a North Carolinian as well as an esteemed writer. Most of his writing is set in the fictional city of Falls, North Carolina, which Gurganus noted shares traits and elements with many towns in his home state. “Some say you can’t go home again, but I say you can’t get far away from it.” He spoke of his Rocky Mount upbringing with high regard, from his public education, which he credits with preparing him for the Ivy League, to the smalltown Southern church culture, which he credits as inspiration for many of his novel topics. Gurganus originally studied painting in college before ultimately settling on creative writing. He lent sage advice to aspiring writers: Unplug, even in this day and age, and sit down to write. Period. “Give yourself away to the luxury of imagination. … Reading and writing are like inhaling and exhaling.” Following dessert, guests received the real treat: an exclusive reading from Gurganus’s in-progress novel, The Erotic History of a Country Baptist Church, set to publish in 2019. The novel encompasses centuries in the life of an imaginary small-town church, taking a close look at congregation dynamics, its relationship with the larger town community, and well-meaning piousness. “Everybody who writes fiction is writing about ethics. … I want to explore how we can be enlarged by something while understanding how pathetic it can be at the same time.” Gurganus said he’s worked on this book for decades, and that it might be his “best yet.” The audience, rapt (and laugh-

Above, from left to right: Allan Gurganus with presenting sponsors Kim Millsaps and Chuck Millsaps of Great Outdoor Provision Company.

“Reading and writing are like inhaling and exhaling.” –Allan Gurganus

From top: Allan Gurganus and WALTER editor Jessie Rumbley discuss the author’s work during brunch; Gurganus signs copies of three of his titles; guests during the program

ing for much of the time), chimed in with questions at the end, and then queued to purchase books and have beloved copies signed by the author. Many lingered to chat long after the event concluded, having known Gurganus for years or wanting to share a connection to his work. “The luckiest thing in the world is to to feel lucky,” the author said.

The event was made possible by presenting sponsor Great Outdoor Provision Company. Green Front Interiors & Rugs provided the handsome stage furniture, Attended Events and Themeworks brought it all to life, Wine Authorities poured bubbly, and Quail Ridge Books provided Gurganus titles for sale.

S Book Club with Celia Rivenbark

THURSDAY, JUNE 21 THE MATTHEWS HOUSE

317 W. Chatham St., Cary You’re invited to a delightfully irreverent evening of cocktails, cuisine, and candor about being a modern Southern woman. For tickets and additional information: waltermagazine.com/upcomingevents.

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