Griot African-American Book Discussion

Great Expectations by Vinson Cunningham

We feature books by African-American authors and meet for discussion in person and virtually via Zoom on the third Tuesday of the month. November's selection: Great Expectations by Vinson Cunningham

Meeting location change beginning in July 2025! Due to Eola Road Branch renovations, the Griot Book Discussion will meet in person at the Santori Library, 3rd floor Quiet Reading Room until further notice.

Attend in person at Santori Library or virtually via Zoom. Print copies of the book are available for checkout at the Santori Library, 3rd floor, or the Eola Road Branch Adult Reference Desk, 2nd floor. Email group facilitator Becky Clark at rclark@aurorapubliclibrary.org for more information.

Join us virtually here.

Book description:

Great Expectations by Vinson Cunningham

I’d seen the Senator speak a few times before my life got caught up, however distantly, with his, but the first time I can remember paying real attention was when he delivered the speech announcing his run for the Presidency. 
When David first hears the Senator from Illinois speak, he feels deep ambivalence. Intrigued by the Senator’s idealistic rhetoric, David also wonders how he’ll balance the fervent belief and inevitable compromises it will take to become the United States’ first Black president. Great Expectations?is about David’s eighteen months working for the Senator's presidential campaign. Along the way David meets a myriad of people who raise a set of questions—questions of history, art, race, religion, and fatherhood—that force David to look at his own life anew and come to terms with his identity as a young Black man and father in America. Meditating on politics and politicians, religion and preachers, fathers and family,?Great Expectations?is both an emotionally resonant coming-of-age story and a rich novel of ideas, marking the arrival of a major new writer. (publisher description)

I acknowledge my participation (or my child’s participation) in this virtual program includes the recording of this program which may include my name as listed on my account, images and/or video footage. I grant the Aurora Public Library District my permission to use the photographs and/or video footage for any legal use, including but not limited to: publicity, copyright purposes, illustration, advertising, and web content.   
 
Furthermore, I understand that no royalty, fee or other compensation shall become payable to me by reason of such use. 

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