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The third book in the Salmon Library Let’s Talk About It Reading and Discussion Program is Invisible Man, by Ralph Ellison. Published in 1952, Invisible Man explores the theme of man’s search for his identity and place in society as seen from the perspective of an unnamed black man in the New York City of the 1930s. The narrator is "invisible" in a figurative sense, in that "people refuse to see" him, and also experiences a kind of dissociation.  This book is widely acknowledged as one of the greatest American novels of the second half of the century and Ellison won the National Book award for his efforts. But Ellison had created far more than a commentary on race. He had attempted to decipher the cruel and beautiful paradox that is American, a country founded on high ideals and cold-blooded betrayals.

Ralph Ellison grew up in Oklahoma and aimed for a career in jazz music. Instead he moved to New York City in 1936 and turned to writing.  The remarkable success of Invisible Man made Ellison famous worldwide, and he was suddenly considered one of America's most important writers. Reluctant to assume the role of a representative for his race, Ellison always maintained that in writing his book he was pursuing art more than he was pursuing racial justice. Although he lectured and published collections of essays (Shadow and Act in 1964 and Going to the Territory in 1986), he worked for forty years on a second novel without finishing it. His literary executor and friend, John Callahan, put together the manuscript after Ellison died and the novel was published as Juneteenth in 1999.

This year’s Let’s Talk About It theme is Other Americas. As our country continues to grow more diverse, divisions remain in our society.  Despite the fragmentation, we also realize that there are things that unite us all.  The books in this series provide a window on how this has come to be historically, and how the future may be shaped. 

Each program will have a featured speaker who will set the stage for some lively group discussions. Participants are encouraged to read the book selection prior to the program, but all interested parties are encouraged to attend any or all programs that are scheduled for Thursdays at 7:00 p.m. at the Salmon Public Library, 204 Main Street, Salmon. For more info, call the library at 208-756-2311 or email them at salmonpubliclibrary@centurytel.net.  The library website, www.salmonlibrary.org will feature each book selection with descriptions, featured speakers, recommended reading lists etc.
 

The third program is scheduled for Thursday, February 23 in the library basement and the program scholar will be Laura Zuckerman.  Zuckermanis an award-winning writer who lives and works in Salmon.  Her work has been featured in such publications as the New York Times Magazine and Western Art & Architecture.The books are now available to be checked out.

Sponsors of the Let’s Talk About It program are the Idaho Humanities Council, The Idaho Commission for Libraries, US Bank and the Salmon Arts Council.