Maya Barzilai (modern Herbrew and Jewish culture) and Kathryn Babayan (Iranian history and culture) discuss Barzilai’s new book Golem: Modern Wars and Their Monsters, a monster tour of the Golem narrative across various cultural and historical landscapes.
About the book:
“In the 1910s and 1920s, a “golem cult” swept across Europe and the U.S., later surfacing in Israel. Why did this story of a powerful clay monster molded and animated by a rabbi to protect his community become so popular and pervasive? The golem has appeared in a remarkable range of popular media: from the Yiddish theater to American comic books, from German silent film to Quentin Tarantino movies. This book showcases how the golem was remolded, throughout the war-torn twentieth century, as a muscular protector, injured combatant, and even murderous avenger. This evolution of the golem narrative is made comprehensible by, and also helps us to better understand, one of the defining aspects of the last one hundred years: mass warfare and its ancillary technologies.
Neutral Zone literary arts director and award-winning local slam poet Molly Raynor discusses writing poetry from initial idea through final revisions. For adult and teen (grade 6 & up) fiction and nonfiction writers. Also, local short story writer Alex Kourvo and young adult novelist Bethany Neal host an open house for writers to connect with one another and/or work on their projects at 7 p.m. on Apr 16.
7-8:45 p.m., AADL Westgate. Free. 327-8301.
Former deputy assistant Attorney General Jim Turner, who served under 7 consecutive presidents, discusses his new book about the landmark case that ended with the conviction of klansmen, despite 2 all-white juries who refused to convict.
4 p.m., 100 U-M Hatcher Grad Library Gallery, enter from the Diag. Free. 936-2314
Detroit children’s book writer Jack Cheng, author of See You in the Cosmos, discusses the art of writing and presents awards to the winners of the AADL short story contest for 3rd-5th graders.
1-2 p.m., AADL Westgate. Free. 327-4200.
U-M sociology professor Geneviève Zubrzycki and U-M anthropology professor Andrew Shryock discuss Zubrzycki’s book examining the importance of the annual Feast of St. John the Baptist to Quebecois national identity.
5:30 p.m., 100 U-M Hatcher Grad Library Gallery, enter from the Diag. Free. 763-8994.
Jim May STORYTELLING WORKSHOP. 1-3 pm. No charge, but you must register for this event as participation is limited.
Several Detroit writers discuss their contributions to this essay collection about Detroit neighborhoods, edited by Detroit native Aaron Foley, author of How to Live in Detroit Without Being a Jackass. Signing.
4 p.m., Nicola’s, Westgate shopping center. Free. 662-0600.
Highland-based psychic medium and writer Kristy Robinett discusses her book.
7 p.m., SDL, 555 N. Maple, Saline. Free; preregistration required. 429-5450.
New America think tank CEO Anne-Marie Slaughter, a former U.S. State Department policy planning director, presents a talk adapted from her new book, The Chessboard and the Web: Strategies of Connection in a Dangerous World. Reception follows; signing.
4-5:30 p.m., 1010 Weiser, 500 Church. Free. 763-9200.
Yale University law professor James Forman discusses his new book about the current U.S. mass incarceration crisis. Signing.
4:30 p.m., 100 U-M Hatcher Grad Library Gallery, enter from the Diag. Free. 763-8994.
