GREENFIELD — Popular author and two-time Emmy winner Philip Gulley will speak and sign copies of his latest book, “A Gathering in Hope,” at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Hancock County Public Library in Greenfield.
“A Gathering in Hope” is the third novel in a new series that spins off Gulley’s critically acclaimed Harmony books about an eccentric Quaker community. Sam Gardner, the central character in the Harmony series, continues his fictional exploits in the new novel.
Thanks to an unexpected windfall, Sam’s congregation is eager to expand their meetinghouse. But before building can commence, the County Environmental Board and the Department of Natural Resources puts the quietus on the plan.
A colony of endangered Indiana bats has made the meetinghouse attic their place for hanging, mating and living, which poses a big problem for the congregation. Hope Friends Meeting is left without a gathering place. And when an over-zealous Leonard Fink takes matters into his own hands, he risks landing himself — and Sam — in jail.
“Booklist” compares Gulley’s style to Garrison Keillor, Annie Dillard, Wendell Berry and Kathleen Norris. “He writes as cleanly as they, and perhaps with greater range, encompassing the tooth fairy, cheap shoes, middle-age spread, chairs and simplicity.”
Gulley hosted the television program “Porch Talk with Phil Gulley” on the Indiana PBS affiliate WFYI for which he received Emmy Awards. He also writes the popular “Home Again” column for “Indianapolis Monthly” and is a regular contributor to “The Saturday Evening Post.” Gulley was awarded an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree by his alma mater, Christian Theological Seminary, and received an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from Franklin College in recognition of his body of work.
To register for this free event, visit hcplibrary.org or call 462-5141, ext. 240.
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Who: Phillip Gulley, author and two-time Emmy winner
When: 7 p.m. Thursday
Where: Hancock County Public Library, 900 W. McKenzie Road, Greenfield
To register, visit hcplibrary.org or call 462-5141, ext. 240.
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