Wisconsin Experience: Go Big Read
Go Big Read is a campuswide common-reading program that has encouraged thousands of people to read, talk, and share their reactions and opinions. This year, Go Big Read organizers encouraged the campus community to suggest fiction titles that fit into a theme of global connections. Interim Chancellor David Ward chose A Tale for the Time Being from the short list generated by a selection committee.
“A Tale for the Time Being is an engaging and broad-ranging novel that will find a home for discussion in classrooms across the campus,” Ward says. “It is original and inventive and offers a thought-provoking reading experience for our students and the UW–Madison community.”
The book’s inventive narrative alternates between two characters, examining the relationship between writer and reader, past and present, fact and fiction. Ozeki draws on history, myth, quantum physics, and Zen philosophy as the diary’s author and its reader try to find meaning in their lives.
Since the common-reading program began five years ago, readers across campus, around the Madison community, and throughout the state have participated in class discussions, book groups and public events, says Sarah McDaniel, program manager for Go Big Read.
“Our goal is to create connections around books and reading, and participation from campus and community members has exceeded our wildest expectations,” McDaniel says. “It has always been our intent to choose books from a variety of genres, and we have fielded many requests for work of a fiction. We think readers will really enjoy Ozeki’s novel, and are thrilled to be able to bring her to campus.”
Planning is underway for how students, faculty and staff will use the book in classrooms and for special events associated with A Tale for the Time Being.
Ozeki is scheduled to visit campus this fall, and she will give a talk at Varsity Hall in Union South on October 28. Copies of the book will be given to first-year students at the Chancellor’s Convocation for New Students and to students using the book in their classes.
Learn more about the ongoing Go Big Read program and plans for this fall, and sign up for email updates.