Author Talk with Nicholas Basbanes and Barbara Richter Basbanes

35 Grafton Common,Grafton MA 01519

22 October, 2021

Description

Join Grafton natives Nicholas Basbanes and his daughter Barbara Basbanes Richter to discuss their recently published books. Friday, October 22, 7:00 pm ***MASKS REQUIRED*** In the debut of the Literary Track for the Small Stones Festival, we are proud to welcome a prominent local author, Nicholas Basbanes, who will discuss his most recently published work, Cross of Snow: A Life of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Nick’s decades-long love affair with literature is evidenced by his many works delving into humanity’s interaction with the printed word. Truly a bibliophile’s bibliophile, there may be no one else worldwide who has so thoroughly examined and documented in his books the process of book collecting and library formation. His book Cross of Snow looks at one of the most popular poets of his time, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, who is now experiencing a resurgence of popularity and stature after years of inattention. Cross of Snow not only traces the influences and evolution of Longfellow’s work, but also provides fascinating insight into the daily life of a formative literary giant in the early years of the nineteenth century. It is, perhaps, not at all surprising that Nicholas Basbanes’ daughter, Barbara Basbanes Richter, has also recent authored a book, a translation of a mid-nineteenth century French novel by Fanny Reybaud entitled Mademoiselle de Malepeire. As a special treat, Barbara will also be joining us to share her experiences in bringing this ambitious work to fruition. A local independent bookseller, Tidepool Book Shop, will be on hand offering copies of the two works to interested parties. The Small Stones Festival of the Arts, sponsored by Grafton Arts, Inc. and held each autumn, is a collaboration of Apple Tree Arts, the Worcester County Camera Club, the Blackstone Valley Arts Association, the Shakespeare Club of Grafton, and Claflin Hill Symphony Orchestra. The festival includes a juried exhibition of photography and painting, a musical program, and literary events.