At library, the lives of the 1 percent in literature

KENT — “Tales of the 1 percent” is the theme for this spring’s book discussions at the Kent Memorial Library, led by Betty Krasne.All the books to be read and discussed will focus on the lives of those at the top of the economic pyramid.The group will meet at the library on Thursdays from 5 to 6:30 p.m. “In previous years, many of the books under discussion have examined the grim underbelly of life, either in the United States or abroad,” Krasne said.This series, by contrast, will consider four books about North America that take as their subjects the lives and struggles of the well off.Morality, greed, the family — how do authors show these elements balancing out when considerable wealth is involved? What kinds of moral issues do the plots explore? These are some of the kinds of questions Krasne expects will be covered in the discussions.Not surprisingly, the four books were published in the last three years. Although they were all envisioned before the Occupy Wall Street movement, they were written in a climate of scandals such as insider trading, predatory lending, sub-prime mortgages and the fall of Bernie Madoff. The book for March 22 is “The Privileges,” by Jonathan Dee. On April 19 it will be “Union Atlantic,” by Adam Haslett; May 17 is “The Three Weissmanns of Westport,” by Cathleen Schine; June 14 it will be “Rules of Civility,” by Amor Towles.The discussions are free and open to the public. Participants should sign up ahead of time so the library can obtain sufficient copies of each book. Copies of “The Privileges” are available at the library now.To learn more, go online to www.kentmemoriallibrary.org. Sign up by visiting the library or calling 860-927-3761.

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