Library Happenings

Henning School

Our featured book of the week is “The Human Comedy” written by William Saroyan. This book is a 1943 novel somewhat based on Mr. Saroyan’s own life.  He came from a home with a single mother and several siblings. Even though Mr. Saroyan grew up in Fresno, Calif., he has the setting for this story take place in Ithaca, Calif. With Mr. Saroyan being a fan of Homer, the poet and author of The Odyssey, he uses several references of ancient Greek in the book.  

     This story takes place in times of war, as does Homer’s Odyssey. The main character’s name is Homer and many of the characters in the story are of similar names to characters in Odyssey. This novel is full of human emotions With Homer being a telegraph messenger, through his job, he discovers many things about the other characters as well as about himself. He truly feels the loneliness of the war, the death and loss that comes through the telegraphs. Homer begins to understand compassion.

This is a 291 page book packed full of life and feelings.  It may have been written in 1943, but the story line is powerful and meaningful today as well. We hope to see you up at our library on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons from 3:30-5:30 p.m. following the school calendar.