About this Event
Join us at Village Well Book & Coffee for a conversation between Michael Cowan, debut author of the novel John B. Peoples, and veteran Santa Monica English teacher Meredith Louria. Michael and Meredith will discuss the roots, influences and themes of Michael's book, as well as the experience of writing fiction after a different kind of writing career. They will also explore the limitations of categorizing a book by genre, such as a thriller, contemporary fiction, etc. Q&A and book signing to follow.
About the participants:
A confirmed Francophile, Michael Cowan had a varied legal career including teaching writing at UCLA School of Law. He has also sung professionally and had two songs published. Father of three and grandfather of four, he lives in Los Angeles with his wife and their eccentric rescue dog Percie.
Meredith Louria earned her B.A. at Mount Holyoke College and her M.A. at the University of Virginia. Her first teaching job was in France. Returning to the United States, Meredith taught English at Marymount High School, Santa Monica High School and Santa Monica College and ran book clubs.
About the book:
Divorced and living in a converted garage, John Peoples thinks his difficulties are over when he wins half of a $40 million lottery jackpot. But his boss, Ed White, bought the winning ticket for the two of them, and only Ed’s name is on the ticket. When White makes clear his intention to cut John out of the winnings and then disappears with the entire jackpot, John embarks on an effort to find White and right the wrong.
During his quest, John suffers a debilitating spine injury and struggles to heal physically and emotionally. Yet he continues pursuing White from Los Angeles to Paris to Marseille. Along the way, he tries navigating the legal system, meets a woman he believes he can only dream about, and eventually engages the help of organized crime. Ultimately, he is faced with the question of how far he is willing to go to retrieve and protect what is his.
John B. Peoples is more than the study of a character out to correct an injustice. It takes us on a powerful journey while examining loss, personal growth, and the everyday challenges of life in America today.
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Village Well Books & Coffee, 9900 Culver Boulevard, Culver City, United States
USD 0.00
