The debut story collection from Oregon Book Award finalist Charlie J. Stephens generously explicates Jean-Paul Sartre’s missive that “life begins on the other side of despair.” In 28 short stories, including a supernatural small-town mystery, a multigenerational family drama, and a maternal love story, the book considers what secular hope in the Anthropocene might look like. These stories are full of families trying to be families, and people in all phases of life reckoning with their reasons for living. With scenery and interiority that echo each other, and characters that read Camus, Fanon, and de Beauvoir, Annihilation for Beginners is slyly philosophical and darkly funny at every turn.
Charlie will be joined in conversation by Buck alum and local literary star Emme Lund, author of The Boy with a Bird in His Chest. We’ll start with a short reading from the book followed by the conversation, then time for audience Q&A and a book-signing. Come out to support Oregon writers and help us celebrate the release of Annihilation for Beginners. Hope to see you there!