This presentation is not about a how-to gardening book but a memoir that shares a blossoming friendship between cancer-survivor Carol Wall and Kenyan immigrant, Giles Owita. As they probe and dig to nurture a beautiful garden landscape, they navigate their lives’ joys, tragedies, racism, illness, and more.
Soon after this book was published, the author died. This program will be presented by the author’s husband, Dick Wall, and the author’s friend, Brenda Johnson, who is now retired as a local Maryville High School English teacher.
The presentation will be on Monday, September 19, 2016 at 7 p.m., in the LIbrary’s Sharon Lawson Room. View details about Mr. Owita’s Guide to Gardening at Amazon.
On Carol Wall’s Memoir
Dick Wall says, “It’s not hard to talk about [Carol]. I like to talk about her. I have to talk about her.”
“Mister Owita’s Guide to Gardening” recounts the unlikely friendship of Carol Wall with her Kenyan-born landscape designer. Carol Wall was diagnosed with cancer before she met Owita; the book chronicles her struggle with the disease as it recounts the growth of the relationship that brought together two souls from literally two different worlds. Following a prolonged battle with cancer, Carol Wall passed away in December 2014.
Dick Wall will share how promoting his wife’s book helps with grieving and has pulled his family closer together, even as distance separates them.
He will also share about Carol’s inspiration for the book, the writing/research process that she undertook, finding a publisher/agent and marketing. This program will be appropriate for published authors as well as those who are planning to write and publish.
A portion of the proceeds from books sold at the presentation will be donated to the Blount County Friends of the Library.
Open to the public, this program is hosted by the Blount County Public Library, located at 508 N. Cusick Street, Maryville. For further information about library programs or services, call 982-0981 or visit the library website.
