Zora Neale Hurston Reading Discussion Group

This is a book discussion group focusing on novels written by renowned author Zora Neale Hurston.

Please join us as we read and discuss four of Hurston's books. We will meet Thursday evenings from March 9 through May 4 in the West End Neighborhood Library's Conference Room.

We will meet each week to discuss the assigned novel (see below). This will be a moderated, in-person moderated discussion lead by instructor Raymond Maxwell.

For more information and to register, please email my.nguyen@dc.gov 

We will read and discuss the following novels:

• Moses, Man of the Mountain
• Jonah’s Gourd Vine
• Seraph on the Suwanee
• Barracoon

Please read onward for the full schedule.

March 9, 2023 - Week #1
Meet at DCPL for first meeting, overview of Hurston, intro of works and books to be covered, open discussion

March 16, 2023 - Week #2
Meet at DCPL to discuss Moses, Man of the Mountain

March 23, 2023 - Week #3
Meet as DCPL, continue discussion of Moses, Man of the Mountain

March 30, 2023 - Week #4
Meet at DCPL, open discussion of Jonah’s Gourd Vine

April 6, 2023 - Week #5
Meet at DCPL, continue discussion of Jonah’s Gourd Vine

April 13, 2023 - Week #6
Meet at DCPL, begin discussion of Seraph on the Suwanee

April 20, 2023 - Week #7
Meet at DCPL, continue discussion of Seraph on the Suwanee

April 27, 2023 - Week #8
Meet at DCPL, discuss Barracoon

May 4, 2023 - Week #9
Meet at DCPL close out Barracoon, overview and review course

About the instructor

Since 2018, Raymond Maxwell has served as study group leader for the American Century Cycle, a course he originally developed and proposed for OLLI (Osher Lifelong Learning Institute-American University in Washington, DC). In addition, Mr. Maxwell is leading a Zora Neale Hurston study group for OLLI. Raymond Maxwell has an MA from University of London; an MSLIS from Catholic University; and a BS, Economics from Florida A&M University.

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