CHIMACUM — Tonight, a novelist who is the son of a Tlingit-Irish mother and an Austrian Jewish father will give this year’s Huntingford Humanities Lecture at Chimacum High School, 91 West Valley Road.
Garth Stein, whose runaway best-seller The Art of Racing in the Rain has been translated into 23 languages, will take the stage at 6:30 p.m. Admission is free.
Nancy Pearl, the celebrity librarian and author who gave last year’s Huntingford lecture, recommended Stein for this year’s event.
The Jefferson County Library is the presenter; the lecture is named for Sara L. Huntingford, a longtime library supporter.
The county library district was formed in 1978 due in part to Huntingford’s efforts, said Meredith Wagner, associate director of the public library at 620 Cedar Ave. in Port Hadlock.
“As a teacher and mother, Sally understood the importance of opening the door of learning to people who live in isolated, rural areas,” Wagner said.
“She realized that quality library service was the key to that door,” she added.
Stein’s lecture was to be held at the library, but Wagner received so many calls about it that she decided he needed a bigger venue.
Racing in the Rain, a story told from the point of view of a dog named Enzo, has become a kind of modern classic, enthralling readers with Enzo’s musings on how techniques used on the race track can help one navigate life’s ordeals.
Stein will talk about the book and his writing career, which includes two other novels, How Evan Broke His Head and Other Secrets and Raven Stole the Moon.
After living in New York City for 18 years, Stein returned to his home town of Seattle, where he lives with his family and his dog, Comet.
Copies of Stein’s books will be available for purchase following his talk tonight.
Stein also is scheduled to speak Thursday in a paid-admission presentation for the Jefferson County Historical Society.
That is sold out, said Bill Tennent, historical society director, who recommended that those without tickets to Thursday’s lecture attend tonight’s.
For more information, phone the library at 360-385-6544 or visit www.jclibrary.info.