Susan Orlean’s nonfiction best seller, The Library Book, on one level
is about the massive fire at the Los Angeles Public Library in 1986 and
the mystery surrounding who started it. More than 400,000 volumes
were destroyed and another 700,000 damaged. Authorities later
arrested 28-year-old Harry Peak on suspicion of arson. Peak was
eventually released after the district attorney’s office declined to file
charges against him.
On another level, the book is a tribute to Orlean’s mother and, on yet another
level, an homage to all libraries. “I love hearing how much people love libraries,” Orlean
says. It gives me great hope for the future of humankind.”
Orlean was born in Cleveland, grew up in Shaker Heights, and graduated from
Shaker Heights High School in 1973, where she was editor-in-chief of the school’s
yearbook, The Gristmill. Orlean went on to graduate with honors from the University
of Michigan in 1976. She has been a staff writer at The New Yorker since 1992.
Orlean is the author of seven books, including Rin Tin Tin, Saturday Night,
and The Orchid Thief, which was made into the Academy Award–winning film,
“Adaptation.” She lives with her family in upstate New York.
The Library Book was applauded by critics when it debuted in October 2018,
hitting the best-seller list shortly thereafter.
Shaker Library and the Shaker Schools Foundation will sponsor the author’s visit
to Shaker Heights on Tuesday, October 15 at 7 pm at Shaker Middle School, where
Orlean will speak and sign copies of her books. Tickets are free; however, registration at
shakerlibrary.org is required. Margaret Simon, public relations manager for the Library,
interviewed Orlean shortly before her visit.
20 FALL 2019 | WWW.SHAKER.LIFE
We were thrilled to read in
The New York Times last
year that the Bertram Woods
Branch of the Shaker Library remains
your favorite library. Can you share any
particular memory?
All of my many visits blur together as
one big memory of the experience of being
at the library – that feeling of anticipation
and excitement and possibility. I also
remember the first time the children’s
librarian realized I was able to look at
books that were more “adult.” I’ll never
forget her walking me over to pick a book
off those shelves. It felt momentous!
@ Shaker Library
Q&A: Susan
Orlean
“It is where
we can glimpse
immortality:
in the library,
we can live
forever.”
Photo: Noah Fecks
/shakerlibrary.org
/WWW.SHAKER.LIFE