Over the past five years, Floyd County’s One Book, Many Voices reading initiative has brought a series of renowned authors to our community. This year is no different as schools, book clubs and other local organizations build programs around Clyde Edgerton's "The Night Train."
Modeled after similar initiatives throughout the nation, One Book, Many Voices is designed to encourage reading, spark discussion and bring the community together through the reading of one great book.
“Organizers encourage local book clubs, schools, civic organizations and churches to host opportunities for discussion so that the entire community rallies around one great story,” said Melinda Holmes, director of library services at Darlington and member of the One Book, Many Voices Steering Committee. “Darlington School is proud to be a sponsor of this community endeavor.”
Set in a small, North Carolina town in 1963, "The Night Train" follows the musical education of Dwayne Hallston, a 17-year-old who becomes fascinated with the music of James Brown and tries to emulate Brown’s performance style with his band, The Amazing Rumblers. Dwayne’s friend Larry also aspires to be a musician, modeling his style after the jazz pianist Thelonius Monk. Although of different racial backgrounds, the friends’ shared love of music allows them to transcend the provincial views of their small, southern town.
Edgerton’s previous works include "Raney" (1985), "Walking Across Egypt" (1987), "The Floatplane Notebooks" (1988) and "Killer Diller" (1991). He is a professor of Creative Writing at The University of North Carolina—Wilmington.
Students will have an opportunity to connect with the author in person when Edgerton speaks to the community on Oct. 8 at 7 p.m. at Rome City Auditorium. If you are interested in attending, Holmes has free tickets for Darlington students and faculty members in the McCallie-Kennedy Library. Other members of the community can purchase tickets for $5 at the Rome-Floyd County Library and Kroger.
Area students were also encouraged to enter a writing contest sponsored by the Rome News-Tribune that is based on their experience reading “The Night Train.” Additionally, the Rome-Floyd County Library will host a community book discussion of "The Night Train" at 7 p.m. on Sept. 24, sponsored by the MLK Commission and One Book, Many Voices. Click here for more information on these and other upcoming One Book, Many Voices events.
