PEN/Faulkner Book Party!
We went to the home of former Rep. Bart Gordon and his wife Leslie for a luncheon celebrating a new novel, Allegiance. We snapped them with the author, Kermit “Kim” Roosevelt (Teddy’s great-great-grandson) and organizer, PEN/Faulkner VP Willee Lewis. Kim gave a fascinating talk about the historical background of the book, which takes place during World War II around the shameful internment of Japanese Americans. He talked about his extensive research into that time, which is so relevant today, and how important it is in times of fear to expand the compass of sympathy and not to be afraid of those who are different. His novel is about a Justice Department lawyer, and the themes of loyalty and trust are also woven into a love story and murder mystery.
