Mayor John Hickenlooper and the Denver Office of Cultural Affairs have announced that "The Thin Man" by the great American author Dashiell Hammett is the 2008 One Book, One Denver selection. The choice was unveiled at a news conference at the Denver Public Library.
This is the fifth year of One Book, One Denver, Mayor Hickenlooper’s citywide book club, building community through the shared experience of reading the same book. Denver citizens, young and old, are encouraged to participate in the program by checking out or purchasing the book and attending related events through October 31.
“We are excited to announce this year’s One Book, One Denver selection, a book full of mystery and intrigue by one of America’s legendary authors,” said Mayor Hickenlooper. “Thousands of Denver community members will be able to share in the experience of reading this amazing classic and attending a variety of exciting programs planned through October 31.”
The Thin Man was selected by Mayor Hickenlooper from recommendations generated by the public, One Book, One Denver project partners and literary and education professionals. Criteria for the book selection include that the book be a work of fiction, available in paperback and engaging for both high school and adult readers.
Set in 1930s New York City, former private detective Nick Charles and his wife Nora spend their days living the life of a rich, glamorous couple. When Nick receives a call from a lawyer-friend asking for help in solving a murder, the couple embarks on an investigation that reintroduces them to the family of Richard Wynant and a host of characters hiding secrets and shading the truth. The Thin Man is a hard-boiled detective story from a master of the genre. With sparse dialogue, lively characters and the intrigue of a whodunit, this year’s One Book, One Denver selection is fun on every page.
Copies of The Thin Man are available at all Denver Public Library branches and most other libraries in outlying counties, as well as local booksellers. A resource guide and glossary of terms are available at www.denvergov.org/onebook. A special insert with a list of key events will appear in the Friday, September 12 editions of The Denver Post and Rocky Mountain News.
Visit
www.denvergov.org/onebook for additional information on the 2008 One Book, One Denver program.
Free public events during September and October include:One Book, Many Films presented by University of Colorado Denver and Denver Film Society
at the Starz FilmCenter, 900 Auraria Parkway
Tuesdays, 7:00PM
- September 16 Manhattan Murder Mystery
- September 23 Out of the Past
- September 30 Brick
- October 7 Charade
- October 14 L.A. Confidential
- October 21 Chinatown
- October 28 The Thin Man
Be an audience member for tapings of
Radio Drama Readings of The Thin Man, presented by University of Colorado Denver (also available for download at www.cudenver.edu and www.denvergov.org/onebook).
University of Colorado Denver Campus
Arts Building, 2nd Floor, Room 295
Thursdays, 6:30-7:30PM
- September 18 Meet Nick and Nora
- October 2 The Plot Thickens
- October 16 Whodunit?
Three Thin Discussions,
presented by Colorado Humanities and Center for the Book
University of Colorado Denver
King Center Recital Hall
855 Lawrence Way
6:30-7:30PM
- Thursday, September 25 Dashiell Hammett and the Hard-boiled Detective Genre He Created
- Wednesday, October 15 Alferd Packer and A Tale of Cannibalism
- Thursday, October 23 We’ve Come a Long Way, Baby: A Conversation on Drinking and Dames
Workshop: The First Chapter of Your Novel, presented by Lighthouse Writers Workshop
University of Colorado Denver
King Center Classroom 306
855 Lawrence Way
- Saturday, October 4 ; 10:00AM-Noon
Power Read: A Community Read-Aloud of The Thin Man – No Page Left Unturned
Denver Public Library
Main Branch
10 W. 14th Ave. Pkwy.
- Saturday, October 11; Noon-5:00PM
Brown Bag Lunch with Library of Congress historian John Cole, presented by Colorado Humanities and Center for the Book
Denver Public Library
Main Branch
10 W. 14th Ave. Pkwy.
- Monday, October 27; Noon-1:00PM
One Book, One Denver Celebration with Mayor John Hickenlooper, including a dramatic reading from the book and performance of music from the 1930s from the Queen City Jazz Band
University of Denver Campus
Davis Auditorium, Sturm Hall
2000 E. Asbury Ave.
- Wednesday, October 29; 7:00-8:00PM
Teen Fiction Contest: Write the First Chapter of Your Novel, presented by Lighthouse Writers Workshop
Deadline for entry:
Monday, October 20Contest details, rules and prize information at www.denvergov.org/onebook.
Book Club in a Bag, presented by Rocky Mountain PBS and Key Bank
8 copies of The Thin Man, 8 reading guides, 1 tote bag and your book club!
Available for check out at any Denver Public Library branch.
The Thin Man at the KirklandBring in your copy of The Thin Man to the Kirkland Museum of Fine & Decorative Art to receive ½ off your admission price.
- September 9 – October 31
- Museum information, location and hours available at www.kirklandmuseum.org.
Another exciting addition this year is a
preschool-aged One Book, One Denver program. The new program will get parents reading with their preschoolers and elevate awareness of the importance of Early Childhood Education. This will be a strong partnership with the Denver Preschool Program, which provides financial assistance to Denver families in order to increase preschool enrollment and improve the quality of preschools throughout the city. Announcement of the preschool book will take place after the adult program in late October.
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One Book, One Denver is a collaborative effort among the Denver Office of Cultural Affairs, Denver Public Library and the following community sponsors and partners:
Sponsors:University of Colorado Denver
Key Bank
The Denver Post
Rocky Mountain News
KBCO
Rocky Mountain PBS
Lighthouse Writers Workshop
Kirkland Museum of Fine & Decorative Art
Colorado Humanities & Center for the Book
Partners: The Bloomsbury Review
Denver Film Society
Denver Urban Spectrum
Tattered Cover Book Store
University of Denver
The mission of the Denver Office of Cultural Affairs is to advance the arts and culture in the City and County of Denver.