Michael Perry will kick off his book tour for Montaigne in Barn Boots on Tuesday, November 7 at 7 p.m. at Northwind Book & Fiber in downtown Spooner. Michael Perry, New York Times bestselling author of Population 485, Coop, Jesus Cow, among others, is also a humorist, radio host, volunteer firefighter, songwriter, and intermittent pig farmer
Michael Perry discovered the great French essayist Michel de Montaigne, of the title of his brand new work, courtesy of a kidney stone. After passing “the Devil’s own gobstopper,” Perry learned that Montaigne—the16th century inventor of the essay form—had documented his own kidney stone experience. From this oddball introduction, Perry plunged headlong into the works of Montaigne. The raw, vulnerable, and hilarious result is Montaigne in Barn Boots—possibly his most personal book yet.
Doffing his cap to true scholars (“the desire to write about Montaigne puts me in heavy traffic on a tricycle”) Perry likens his approach to that of the chickens on his Wisconsin farm, pecking willy-nilly, and sometimes “trying to gag down a knob of gristle thrice the caliber of its gullet,” but—in the spirit of Montaigne himself—always emphasizing exploration over declaration. As he applies the Frenchman’s methods and wisdom to his own contemporary thoughts on marriage, parenthood, faith, shame, citizenship and, yes, kidney stones, Perry is amused by the kinship he feels for a man who died four centuries ago.
Perry will talk about and read from Montaigne in Barn Boots, then be available to sign books. Contact Northwind Book & Fiber for more information. 715-635-6811.
Last Update: Nov 02, 2017 11:38 am CDT
