'1984' Subject Of Next Book Discussion Group At Hamden Public Library

HAMDEN, CT - From the Hamden Public Library: It is with great pleasure that the Hamden Book Discussion Group announces that Dr. Mark Schenker will be the moderator of our discussion of “1984” by George Orwell in honor of Banned Books Week. This event will take place on Wednesday, September 27, 2017 from 6:30-7:30 pm in the Friends Room of the Miller Memorial Library at 2901 Dixwell Avenue, Hamden.

In an article in the Jan. 26, 2017 New York Times entitled “Why 1984 Is a 2017 Must Read Book”, Michiko Kakutani states,

“The dystopia described in George Orwell’s nearly 70-year- old novel “1984” suddenly feels all too familiar. A world in which Big Brother (or maybe the National Security Agency) is always listening in, and high-tech devices can eavesdrop in people’s homes. (Hey, Alexa, what’s up?) A world of endless war, where fear and hate are drummed up against foreigners, and movies show boatloads of refugees dying at sea. A world in which the government insists that reality is not “something objective, external, existing in its own right” — but rather, “whatever the Party holds to be truth is truth.”

She continues,

“Not surprisingly, “1984” has found a nervous readership in today’s “post-truth” era.”

Dr. Mark Schenker is a well-known and much sought-after discussion leader. Mark Schenker has been at Yale College since 1990. He is currently a senior associate dean of the College and dean of academic affairs. Born and raised in New York City, he received his Ph.D. in English Literature from Columbia University and has taught at Columbia, New York University, and Trinity College (Hartford). Dean Schenker has led book discussion series in public libraries and other venues in Connecticut for over 25 years and lectures frequently on literature and film for public audiences. He was the recipient of the 2001 Wilbur Cross Award for Outstanding Humanities Scholar, presented by the Connecticut Humanities Council.

Please join us for what is sure to be a spirited discussion. Registration is not required but is suggested due to limited seating. Copies of the book are available at the library.

For further information or questions please call 203-287- 2680 or register online at www.hamdenlibrary.org

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