Series to offer coffee,
literature discussions
 By
Alexa VanDeGrift
Staff Writer
Students interested in spending afternoons sipping
coffee and discussing stories like "Beowulf" or "Harry
Potter and the Goblet of Fire" have that opportunity every Thursday
in February with Books and Coffee 2001.
For its 50th season, the Books and Coffee series,
sponsored by the Purdue Student Union Board, is offering free Starbucks
coffee for students and faculty to enjoy while they listen to lectures
about literary works. Held at 4 p.m. every Thursday during February
in the South Ballroom of the Union, the series will feature discussions
by Purdue professors about the famous epic poem "Beowulf"
as well as works by J.M. Coetzee and J.K. Rowling. In addition, renowned
author Jamaica Kincaid will discuss her own literature.
During the first half-hour of each discussion,
Starbucks coffee and tea are served and students can talk about literature
with professors in a relaxed setting, said Books and Coffee faculty
director and English professor Dino Felluga.
The works featured in the Books and Coffee lecture
series usually include critically acclaimed works and those with mass
appeal, according to Felluga.
The first of the lectures in the series will be
held today and will feature professor William Palmer discussing Coetzee’s
"Disgrace." In the novel, Coetzee relates historical and political
landmarks of post-apartheid South Africa.
In addition to being a recipient of Purdue’s
Murphy Award for undergraduate teaching, Felluga said Palmer is a natural
on stage. "I think it’s always good to have great teachers
and that’s something I look for in speakers," Felluga said.
Another potential draw for students will be the
Feb. 8 lecture on Rowling’s "Harry Potter and the Goblet of
Fire." English professor Mary Niepokuj will speak about the phenomena
of the Harry Potter series and its mass appeal with adult readers.
Felluga said, "Harry Potter has transformed academic
publishing."
Also transforming the industry is the Feb. 15 speaker
and award-winning author Jamaica Kincaid. Kincaid will discuss her upcoming
book, the creative process and will answer audience questions about
her work and success.
One Purdue student is anticipating a good presentation
from Kincaid.
"I am really looking forward to our author
Jamaica Kincaid," said Purdue Student Union Board member Tony Ciapetta,
a sophomore in the School of Technology. Kincaid’s lecture was
planned specifically for the 50th season of Books and Coffee with the
assistance of the African-American Studies and Research Center and Purdue
University Libraries.
For the Feb. 22 presentation, English professor
Shaun Hughes will discuss Seamus Heaney’s translation of "Beowulf."
Hughes will discuss the classic Anglo-Saxon poem’s modern significance,
particularly in the translator’s home province of Ulter in Ireland.
"I've heard professor Hughes is a really good
speaker," said Ciapetta. "I’ve heard his classes are
really interesting."
Ciapetta said he expects the Beowulf presentation
to be good, particularly because it is a work that many people will
have read, which may attract more people.
Overall, Ciapetta said the Purdue Student Union
Board expects around 500 people to turn out for the Kincaid lecture
and around 350 people for the others.
Books and Coffee was revamped last year in an attempt
to relate to the college students, Ciapetta said. One way that future
Books and Coffee seasons may involve more students would be to include
best sellers whenever possible.
Felluga said over the last few years of Books and
Coffee, more undergraduate students have been in attendance. The 2000
season had the best participation since 1971.
All of the lectures were good last year, Felluga
said. Erwin Weiser’s lecture, for example, attracted about 350
people, according to Felluga. Weiser’s lecture, which discussed
"The Everest Tragedies," was Ciapetta’s favorite to date.
Felluga’s said last year’s lecture by
Kristina Bross on "Hannibal," the continuing story of Hannibal
Lecter from "The Silence of the Lambs," was a hit with the audience.
"Students really loved that because it was both intellectual about
the work and it was humorous as a presentation," Felluga said.
In addition to the lectures and the coffee, Books
and Coffee will have a raffle for those in attendance. Some of the prizes
include 10 percent off from Barnes and Noble and the book featured in
the lecture from Von’s Book Shop.
The Purdue Student Union Board is also selling
Books and Coffee mugs to commemorate its 50th season. The mugs will
be $5 each.
Felluga said what is great about Books and Coffee
is that it has a diverse audience. "It brings together people from
such different backgrounds — faculty, graduate students, undergraduate
students, the Lafayette community, all kinds of people come and always
have come for all 50 years of its existence. It’s a real community."
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