Gail Strickland
MPL News:
Gail Strickland, a scholar of classics and long-time resident of Northern California, has scheduled three appearances in Los Alamos Monday. She will talk with students at the Los Alamos Middle School and Los Alamos High School in the morning, and 3:30 p.m. at Mesa Public Library.
At each appearance, Strickland will discuss her creative process, the factual relationship of her book to the historical record, and Greek mythology.
The book is an account of a point in history when the Greek gods held a prominent place in human affairs. It centers around a young girl who experiences unexplainable visions- unexplainable until she learns that the women of her family have always been able to speak for the gods. The book appeals to young adults and adults alike. It is the first in a trilogy the Oracle of Delphi as the focus.
From Strickland’s website:
Was the Oracle of Delphi a teenage visionary who saved the Cradle of Democracy or was she manipulated by politically-savvy priests as some modern historians claim?
The slaughter of the Spartan Three Hundred at Thermopylae, Greece 480 BCE—when King Leonidas tried to stop the Persian army with only his elite guard—is well known. But just what did King Xerxes do after he defeated the Greeks?
Fifteen-year-old Thaleia is haunted by visions: roofs dripping blood, Athens burning. She tries to convince her best friend and all the villagers that she’s not crazy. The gods do speak to her.
And the gods have plans for this girl.
Review for this book
“… an extremely promising and intriguing writer …”
“Night of Pan is head and shoulders above most of the young adult novels now being published. I wouldn’t be embarrassed to compare it to Mary Renault’s The King Must Die and The Bull from the Sea.” —Peter S. Beagle, Author of The Last Unicorn, A Fine and Private Place and The Innkeeper’s Song among others.
Visit Strickland’s website: http://www.gailstricklandauthor.com.
Strickland’s appearance at Mesa Public Library Monday afternoon is part of the Library’s 20th anniversary celebration, which continues throughout October. There will be an additional Authors Speak presentation at 7 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 23, featuring Los Alamos Historical Society Executive Director Heather McClenahan and the publications director for Bathtub Row press, Sharon Snyder. They’ll be joined by other fans of local history, as they discuss the history of public libraries and the library in Los Alamos. The building that houses the Library was dedicated Oct. 15, 1994.
The Authors Speak Series is a monthly event featuring local and statewide authors speaking about their writing on a variety of subjects such as local and state history, travel, outdoor activities, New Mexico fiction, Native American history and culture, poetry, and more. The series is funded by the Friends of the Los Alamos County Library System. The talks are free, and are followed by the opportunity to meet the authors and enjoy refreshments. Some authors may participate with book sales and signings.
