MIDDLEBURY — Book lovers and aspiring writers will have a great opportunity to hear two authors talk when author Rebecca Makkai discusses her third novel, “The Great Believers,” with fellow author Stephen Kiernan on Wednesday, July 11, at 6 p.m. at Middlebury Marquis Theatre. The event is co-sponsored by the Vermont Book Shop, Middlebury Marquis Theatre, and the Pride Center of Vermont.
“The Great Believers” is a tale of friendship and redemption in the face of tragedy and loss during and after the AIDS crisis in 1980’s Chicago. In the  New York Times Book Review, Michael Cunningham, author of “The Hours,” said “The Great Believers” is “an absorbing and emotionally riveting story about what it’s like to live during times of crisis. And who among us believes that, at any point in the near future, we’ll cease living in times of crisis, whatever form they may take?”
Becky Dayton of The Vermont Book Shop, wrote, “it’s a vast fictional landscape of both time and location, but Makkai works magic with themes of art, illicit love, and family bonds to braid it all together into a rich, cohesive, and deeply affecting narrative.”
Makkai is a graduate of Bread Loaf School of English and has taught at Iowa Writers’ Workshop and Northwestern University. She is the author of two novels, “The Borrower” and “The Hundred-Year House,” which won the Novel of the Year Award from the Chicago Writers Association. She has also published a book of short stories entitled “Music for Wartime.” Her work has appeared in “The Best American Short Stories,” “Harper’s” and “Tin House,” among others. She lives outside Chicago with her husband and two daughters.
Stephen P. Kiernan is the critically acclaimed author of “The Hummingbird,” “The Curiosity” and “The Baker’s Secret.” He has also written two nonfiction books, “Last Rights” and “Authentic Patriotism.” When not in his home in Charlotte, Vt., he travels the country speaking and consulting on how to expand use of hospice, palliative care and advance directives.
Books, food & drink will be available for purchase. A portion of proceeds will benefit the Pride Center of VT’s Health & Wellness program. For more information contact Jenny Lyons at 802-388-2061 or [email protected].