For our first event of 2019, the John Adams will host Jennifer Clement, author of four novels and President of PEN International – the first woman President since the organization was founded in 1921. Clement’s latest novel is Gun Love, which was a finalist for the 2018 National Book Award and was named one of TIME’s 10 Best Fiction Books of 2018.
Gun Love focuses on two troubling issues in America: homelessness and, more specifically, its gun culture and the epidemic of gun crime. The book tells the story of Pearl France, a 14-year old girl living with her once wealthy mother in a parked car in a derelict Florida trailer park, surrounded by people with a fascination for guns. The novel paints a gritty picture of people on the fringes of society, but it is also a memorable coming of age story for a poor girl in Florida. In her renowned eloquent style – with immersive and detailed imagery – Jennifer Clement has written a memorable book of sadness, love and resilience.
For a review of the book, click here or read an excerpt. Moderator Joost de Vries delivered the following introduction to Jennifer Clement.
