The Washburn University English department hosted a book launch party at 4 p.m. March 26 in Vogel Room, Memorial Union. The book launch was for “Lunacy and Acts of God” written by Ruth Maus, poet and debut novelist.
The novel was written over 30 years ago and is a coming-of-age story set in the 1950s with real life events in Topeka, Kansas. With plenty of quirky, humorous characters and a compelling murder mystery, the book reflects the impact of family and community on prejudice passed through generations, marginalized peoples, societal differences, similarities and choices.
The story is told through the eyes of a young girl named Melody who observes and reflects on the events around her. The book wrestles with the social ills of racism, mental illness, the abuses of powerful institutions and life’s many nuanced shades of gray.
Eric McHenry, English professor, highlighted the humor in the book and reason for the selection of the book for the event.
“Ruth has been auditing classes here for a long time and much a part of the literary community at Washburn,” McHenry said. “The humor of the book really came through at the event. I think that it’s a very funny book, and hearing Ruth read from it, that humor really comes through. I just say that they won’t regret it. You know, if you like to laugh, if you’re interested in Topeka history and if you’re interested in a compelling human story, then this book has all of those things.”
Maus discussed her inspiration to write a book.
“I wrote the first draft of ‘Lunacy and Acts of God’ over 30 years ago,” Maus said. “I moved back to Topeka, and I was surrounded by my hometown and my family again, and a lot of these things just came out. I looked up a few things, the fashion stand, the cars, the television shows and some of those things. It’s a universal story about families and prejudice and communities and incorporating all kinds of groups of people into a community. It’s easy to read, funny. People feel comfortable with the book.”
Thea Rademacher, president of Flint Hills Publishing, discussed her experience publishing Maus’ books and encouraged others to read.
“The 85th book I published, I had known Ruth for many years,” Rademacher said. “I read the book, and I couldn’t quit laughing, so I thought that’s a good sign. It was in really, really good shape, and I was excited to publish. There are a lot of characters and it’s based in Topeka. I’ve lived in Topeka for many years, and I could relate to a lot of the different places that she describes and even some of the crazy things that happened in this family that she writes about. So it captured my attention.”
Tracy Million Simmons, author from Emporia, Kansas, attended the book launch event and expressed excitement about the book’s humor and anticipation for Topeka connections.
“It sounds like it’s really funny, ” Simmons said. “I’m a friend of Ruth from way back. I published her first couple books, and I’m in the Kansas author’s club with her. I’m really looking forward to reading it. It’s a lot of fun. It’s cool to see the room full. It’s always nice when people come out to support an author and see a lot of familiar faces here, she’s definitely pulled in the Kansas literary community.”
At the end of the event Maus signed the book of the attendees.
Edited by Stuti Khadka and Alijah McCracken.
