Brooklyn-based author Stefan Merrill Block to discuss timely novel at Books Are Magic
Brooklyn BookBeat
Some say it is easier to fully capture the essence of a place in writing from a distance. This is certainly true for author Stefan Merrill Block, who was able to create a portrait of a small West Texas town in his book “Oliver Loving” after living away from his own Texas home for 12 years. Block currently lives in Prospect Heights, where he continues to contemplate what makes Texas unique.
In Block’s forthcoming novel “Oliver Loving,” a school shooting leaves a lasting impact on the town of Bliss, Texas. One victim in the shooting, Oliver Loving, is left in a coma for nearly 10 years after. Oliver’s family members are all deeply affected by his condition but react distinctly — his mother keeps a hopeful vigil, his brother Charlie moves to New York and his father tries to erase the memory with bourbon. Eventually, medical tests promise a key to unlock Oliver’s trapped mind.
“Oliver Loving” will be released on Jan. 16. Stefan Merrill Block will also be in conversation with Jonathan Lee at Books Are Magic on Jan. 16 at 7:30 p.m.