Author to Speak at Roswell Reads Lunch

By Jonathan Copsey/ STAFF

The final event in the Roswell Reads program will take place March 29 with a literary luncheon starring author Kim Edwards as the guest of honor.

Edwards will be signing books, answering questions and giving a speech about her book, “The Memory Keeper’s Daughter,” which was chosen as the Roswell Reads book of 2008 and the subject of several events for the past few months.

The program recently won the CABY award for Event of the Year for their luncheon last year, so this years gathering is sure to be worthwhile.

“The Memory Keeper’s Daughter” tells the story of a family dealing with the classic situation of a child cast out at birth by its father and, much like Oedipus of Greek tragedy, the event later affects the family in unimaginable ways. The modern twist to this story is that the child was cast out because she had Down Syndrome. So powerful is this book that it has received numerous international awards and Edwards was honored by Congress for raising awareness of children with Down Syndrome, a genetic disorder that frequently results in mental retardation and sometimes physical abnormality. 

Not the usual lunch topic, to be sure, but the ability to discuss the book with others and the issues it raises should be invaluable.

The luncheon is being held at the Roswell Recreation Center, 830 Grimes Bridge Road, at 11:30 a.m. Tickets include lunch and cost $20 and can be purchased at the Roswell Library Friends Book Corner, or by calling 770-992-0826. For more information, visit www.forl.net.