Famous author giving talk at FVCC

The Flathead Valley will take on the ghosts and stories of the Vietnam War as award-winning author Tim O’Brien will read his works and give a talk about his war experiences tonight (Thursday) at Flathead Valley Community College.

O’Brien will speak and read from his book, “The Things They Carried” at 7 p.m. in the Arts and Technology Building Room 139. The event is free and open to the public.

O’Brien’s visit to the valley is a nationwide effort called “The Big Read,” which encourages communities to read a book of literature and then hold discussions on the theme. The local effort was orchestrated by the Flathead County Library through a grant from the National Endowment of the Arts, private donations and the library foundation, said Rishara Finsel, public service librarian.

O’Brien won the National Book Award for his 1979 novel “Going After Cacciato,” another Vietnam War story.

The discussion of the war will continue Monday evening (Oct. 25) at Glacier Discovery Square as local authors Nancy Moser and Dennis Foley will talk about their war experiences. Also joining the Columbia Falls discussion is Fred Lestiko, a longtime Kalispell resident and community member. Lestiko was a helicopter pilot in the Vietnam War. The panel discussion starts at 7 p.m.

A HOST of other events to discuss the novel and the war will continue this fall including:

• A talk by Vietnam War nurse Diane Carlson at the Bigfork Playhouse 7 p.m. Oct. 26.

• A discussion of “The Things They Carried,” at Bad Rock Books in Columbia Falls at 7 p.m. Oct. 28.

• A viewing of the film “Good Morning Vietnam,” at the Flathead County Library at 7 p.m. Nov. 3. and at 7 p.m. Nov. 4, the film “Agent Orange.” On Nov. 5, the library will show “The Deer Hunter” at 7 p.m.

• Acclaimed poet Bao Phi will perform at 7 p.m. Nov. 8 at the O’Shaughnessy Center in Whitefish.

• A viewing of the film “Three Seasons,” at 7 p.m. Nov. 10 at the Whitefish Library.