The American Society (Amsoc) is hosting an intimate literary event with psychiatrist and Guatemala native Roberto Moulon, author of the English book, “The Iguana Speaks My Name” (Egret Books, 2012), a volume of short stories and a novella. The book reading, discussion and signing are set for Thursday, March 21, 11 a.m.
“Everyone is welcome,” said co-organizer Cam Esser. “To our knowledge, this is the first meet-the-author event at Amsoc,” adding that it marks Amsoc’s inauguration of a series promoting the works of local authors.
Moulon will have copies of his book for sale that morning and Egret Books editor Mikel Miller will also be on hand, said co-organizer Pauline van Havere.
“Egret Books was established with exactly this purpose in mind. Mikel, the managing editor of Egret Books, is an American who moved to Guadalajara after living in Baja for five years.”
Van Havere emphasized that “Roberto Moulon’s book was named as one of the 25 best books by independent authors in 2012 by Kirkus Reviews,” a significant achievement considering Kirkus’s curmudgeonly reputation.
“Lush landscapes, enchanted happenings, tangled roots and violence suffuse this beguiling collection of stories set in the highlands of Guatemala,” wrote Kirkus Reviews. “Quince, the narrator of these interlocking stories, is a writer living in the village of Panimache ... a town divided by conflict, caste and consciousness, ... seemingly placid but on edge from the fighting between government soldiers and guerillas.”
Moulon is a psychiatrist who was born to a Spanish mother and French father in Guatemala. After receiving his medical education in Mexico City, Baltimore and Topeka, he practiced in Hawaii before retiring in Ajijic in 1996.
The meet-the-author event will be followed by AMSOC’s regular a la carte Thursday luncheon at noon. Those who plan to stay for the luncheon (cost about 120 pesos) should reserve at (33) 3121-2395. Thursday after the luncheon is game day at Amsoc, with poker, dominoes and cards.
No reservation is necessary for the free Moulon event.
See www.egretbooks.com. Amsoc, Avenida San Francisco 3332, Guadalajara. (33) 3121-2395.