Science Fiction Book Club: Mockingbird by Walter Tevis (Part 2 of 3) [VIRTUAL]

Inspired by the bleak observation of gradually declining literacy among college students over the years, Walter Tevis (a professor of English at Ohio University) decided to write a dystopian novel projecting this downward trend 500 years into the future.  Set in New York City in an era when the United States faces collapse due to cultural senescence, the android called Spofforth, Dean of New York University, struggles to hold human society together, but is depressed by the prospects, and in finding meaning in his purpose.  He hires Paul Bentley who has rediscovered a way to read, a forgotten skill.  Paul teaches a friend Mary Lou the lost art.  Spofforth grows jealous of Paul’s special ability and imprisons him.  Paul must escape, believing that love is the path to rebuilding civilization.

Our guest discussion leaders will be Julia Tevis McGory and Will Tevis, daughter and son of the late Walter Tevis.

Sponsored by the Friends of the Athens Public Library.

Participants must register so that they may receive the invitation link for the live online experience.