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Authors: Lesley Kagen

BOOK: Land of a Hundred Wonders
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Brandish Boy and Sheriff LeRoy
Johnson Set to Go to Trial
As you probably already heard, Janice Lever was shot dead by one of the Brandish Boys, who'd been offered a dandy reward by Sheriff LeRoy Johnson to track down Mr. Cooter Smith, who it turns out did NOT murder Mr. Buster Malloy dead at the dump like the sheriff told everybody he did. Eyewitness, Deputy Jimmy Lee Boyd (Sheriff of Grant County elect), says that he was too ascared to mention it early on, but he witnessed LeRoy Johnson and Sneaky Tim Ray Holloway throwing dead Mr. Buster on the burning dump on the night in question. The sheriff had no choice but to admit his guilt. “I found Buster on the beach while I was makin' my daily rounds. Figured I might be able to blame his death on the Smith boy somehow, but not havin' a ready plan on how to do that, I hauled him into the woods for safekeepin'. When the coloreds started up that dump fire, it was like the Lord himself was tellin' me, LeRoy, if'n you throw that body atop those flames, everyone will think Cooter Smith did Buster in on account a that's where he works. It's your Christian duty to put that rabble-rouser where he belongs once and for all. Behind bars.” (The sheriff smiled lunatically when he said that, so I suspect he might be spending some time up at the Pardyville Institute.)
So who was it murdered Mr. Buster Malloy? Will we ever know? This reporter thinks not. I believe that murder will always remain one of life's little mysteries. (In case you haven't noticed . . . life is chock-full of 'em.)
Next week Tuesday, the Brandish Boy, the one with the
oozing pocks that shot Janice Lever dead, will stand trial at the Grant County courthouse. The other Brandish Boy, the one with the long ears? Nobody's seen him since he ran off after the showdown at the old Hamilton place.
In other news . . . After a slew of encounters involving Sneaky Tim Ray Holloway's hands and my double D ninnies were described to Judge Larson, charges were not pressed against this reporter for shooting his pecker. (Not off, but close.) Holloway is presently taking his meals at the jail. It appears “the old bat” that he stole the cookie jar money from earlier on this summer over in Leesburg is none other than the mayor's dear grandmother.
Setting down the blue spiral, I ask, “Well, what do ya think?”
My dog gives me a slurpy kiss of approval. The best of all his couple of good tricks.
“Ya know, now that I've had some time to dwell on it, I believe Teddy Smith might be right, don't you, Keep?” I say, lowering the lantern light. “Miracles really
are
in the eyes of the beholden.”
His ticktock tail lets me know that he couldn't agree with me more.
The two of us side by side, we're getting lulled by Billy's and Grampa's low voices conversing out on the lawn. The
who . . . whoo . . . whoo
ing of the horned owl, the boat knocking bashful against the dock. The crickets are performin' a solo tonight 'cause I'm not sure when the cicadas disappeared, but they won't resurrect 'til years from now. And right on the other side of my wall, there's one of the best sounds of all. Precious baby cooing.
“Night, Mama. You, too, Daddy. By the way, I'm gonna use some of that money I inherited on my birthday from the ChampionBus people to pay off that cheating debt you owe that art dealer up in Chicago. Thought you'd like to know.”
Wait just a cotton-pickin' minute.
Reaching back under my pillow for my blue spiral, I flip to the page that's got my
VERY IMPORTANT THINGS TO DO
list. It needs immediate updating.
Using my No. 2:
1. I can get
Q
uite
R
ight.
2.
Well, much as I'd love to visit a bit more, I need to get me some shut-eye 'cause tomorrow's the first Sunday of the month. Got that public Scrabble tournament to attend over in Appleville.
(Not to brag or nuthin', but I'm a shoe in.)
Lesley Kagen
is a writer, actress, voice-over talent and restaurateur. The owner of Restaurant Hama, one of Milwaukee's top restaurants, Ms. Kagen lives with her husband in Cedarburg, Wisconsin. She has two children. Visit her Web site at
lesleykagen.com
.
Land of a Hundred Wonders
LESLEY KAGEN
This Conversation Guide is intended to enrich the
individual reading experience, as well as encourage us
to explore these topics together—because books,
and life, are meant for sharing.
A CONVERSATION WITH LESLEY KAGEN
Q. Kentucky is an uncommon location to set a novel. Why did you choose it?
A. I've always been intrigued by the South. The language, the culture. My daughter goes to school in Virginia and has recently married a wonderful man from Georgia, so I've spent a lot of time down there in recent years. I absolutely adore it! I also wanted the story to unfold in a small town because of the interesting dynamics that go on in that sort of setting. Folks who have known each other for years and years create lifelong relationships that are fascinating to me. I've lived in big cities for most of my life, many times not knowing my neighbors. Guess I'm a country girl at heart.
Q. Why did you set the book in 1973?
A. The seventies were a time in American history that signaled a significant change in our society. Mores were shifting, racial tension bubbling, the Vietnam War raging, and the drug culturesurfacing. It was interesting to visit all this unsettledness onto sleepy little Cray Ridge.
Q. Your protagonist, Gibby McGraw, has suffered a traumatic brain injury and as a result her perception of life can be both hilariously funny and sad as can be. Why did you choose to write from the perspective of a young woman whose life is so different than the norm?
A. You know, I'm becoming increasingly suspicious about this word “normal.” We all claim to be, but who really is
Q
uite
R
ight? I know I'm not. And I grow weary with the effort of proving that I am. Why can't I go grocery shopping in my jammies? Why can't I walk in the rain without my umbrella? Maybe we could all agree to be who we are and from now on that will be called “normal.” Do you know who I could speak to about that?
Q. Describe
Land of a Hundred Wonders
in one sentence.
A. A love story.
Q. Awww . . .
A. I know, I'm a fool for love and all its many manifestations. The love of a parent for a child and vice versa. The love between a man and a woman. Best friend love. Forbidden love.
Q. Your love of horses and dogs is clearly an important element of the book. How did this love affair with animals get started?
A. After reading
Black Beauty
, I talked my mother into getting me riding lessons when I was seven years old. I've been crazy about these gorgeous creatures ever since, and passed that love on to my daughter. Same with dogs. And cats, I like cats, too. And bunnies and . . .
Q. One of the parts of the book that I enjoyed the most was the underlying cowboy theme. How did you come up with that?
A. I grew up with shoot-'em-ups. The simple themes of good guys versus bad guys easily identified by the color of their hats, the hunky guy capturing the heart of the damsel in distress, and the immediate dispensation of justice. Life is so complicated now. This down-to-basics stuff sorta makes me swoon.
Q. So you're a romantic?
A. Yeah, I guess I am, in a covered-wagon sort of way.
Q. Who is your favorite character in the book?
A. I adore Gibby's tail-wagging enthusiasm. Her heart of gold. Her courage inspires me.
Q. Least favorite?
A. Sneaky Tim Ray Holloway. Can there be anything more despicable than the theft of innocence on any level?
Q. The story has many underlying themes, one of which is the belief in miracles. Do you believe?
A. With my whole heart.
Q. Can you describe your writing process?
A. Gosh, I have no idea how I come up with this stuff. I think it might be something you're born with, blessed with. Like singers. Or artists. Of course, you need to develop that talent. And discipline. I'm up every morning when it's still dark to write.
Q. Your debut novel,
Whistling in the Dark
, was a national best-seller and met with critical acclaim. What has been the most exciting part of the past year?
A. My little book seems to have resonated with so many people, on so many levels. I hear from readers who love the nostalgia in the book, others who lost a parent, and some who were sexually abused as children. The booksellers have also been phenomenal. And the book clubs. I've had the opportunity to talk with them via phone and in person. It's fascinating to answer their questions and hear their thoughts, many of which I never even considered. The whole experience, every little bit of it, has been so much more than I could've ever imagined.
Q. What's in store for the future?
A. I'm still busy at my restaurant. And doing my voice-overs. I've also discovered that no matter how old your kids get they still need you, so they keep me on my toes. I'm also working on my next novel.
Q. Anything else you'd like to add?
A. Yes! A million thanks to everyone who has contributed to the success of
Whistling in the Dark
. You've made it possible for a whole new world full of unexpected adventures to open up for me at a time in my life when I had anticipated nothing of the sort. I'm so very, very grateful.
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION
1. As a result of her brain injury, Gibby interprets the world in a slightly different way than the rest of us do. For instance, the filter that “normal” people employ to keep themselves from saying things that are “inappropriate” is not fully functioning in Gib's brain. Do you ever wish you could be as honest as she is?
2. What is a miracle? Gibby believes. Do you?
3. What are the advantages and disadvantages of living in a small rural town like Cray Ridge?
4. Life has given every major character in the book lemons. Have they successfully made lemonade?
5. We all experience painful loss in our lives. Do you believe the adage “What doesn't kill you makes you stronger”?
6. Gibby's relationship with her departed mama is as alive as her other relationships. Do you believe in life after death?
7. Much of the relationship between Gibby and her grampa is based on his desire to keep her safe. How do you balance your need to keep your children out of harm's way and yet encourage them to be brave?
8. Clever is a wild child. What do you envision her future to be?
9. Many of Gibby's observations of the “colored” characters in the book would now be considered politically incorrect. What do you think of political correctness? Does it at times keep us further apart rather than bring us together?
10. How do you think the Vietnam War affected us as a country? On a personal level? Were you supportive or did you protest? Why?
11. Gibby finds spiritual solace at Land of a Hundred Wonders. How do you nourish your soul?
12. The relationship between Gibby and Clever is at times adversarial yet you sense that they'd defend each other to the end. Although not related by blood, the two of them function as sisters. Does your relationship with your sister at all resemble the characters'? Do you have a friend with whom you have this sort of relationship?
13. In keeping with the old-time cowboy theme, a few of the characters in the book are stereotypically black-hatted. Do you think people can be born evil or do they behave this way as a result of their experiences?
14. Gib endows Keeper with almost magical powers. Why do you think that is?
15. Miss Lydia is a complex character. Discuss her function within the story.
16. Gibby's memory, or the lack of it, plays a substantial role in the novel. Can you imagine what it would be like to lose your memory? How much of who we are is based on our past?
17. As Gibby says, “Hope springs internal.” Has there ever been a time in your life when you felt you would not have had the courage to go on without the belief in a hopeful outcome?
18. Janice Lever surprises us in the end. Have you ever known anyone whom you believed to be of questionable virtues do a complete turnaround?
19. At one point in the story, Gibby dispenses eye-for-an-eye justice and is not punished for her actions. Did you find this righteous or offensive?
20. Certain relationships within the story were considered taboo during the early seventies. Do you think times have changed?

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