Great Books Council of San Francisco Banned Books in the Wine Country 

This is a one day mini-retreat at the Calistoga Spa Hot Springs, 1006 Washington Street, Calistoga, CA 94515, (707) 942-6269. We have limited space available and we expect this event to fill up soon. Please register as soon as you can.

Calistoga is a lovely small town at the Northern end of the Napa Valley at the foot of Mt. St. Helena. You are on your own for lunch but there are many excellent restaurants and delis in town. There is no fast food - it’s against the law.

Richard Wright's landmark work of literary naturalism follows the life of young Bigger Thomas, a poor Black man living on the South Side of Chicago.  Bigger is faced with numerous awkward and frustrating situations when he begins working for a rich white family as their chauffer.  After he unintentionally kills a member of the family, he flees but is eventually caught, tried and sentenced to death.  The book has been challenged or removed in at least eight differnt states because of objections to "violent and sexually graphic" content. -- From Banned Books that Shaped America

  Perennial Classics

ISBN13: 978-0060929800

ISBN10: 006083756X

Available on Amazon

We will be viewing the 1951 film version of the book.  While the book is critically aclaimed, the movie is said to focus on subjects the book hadn't.  On the facilities new large TV, we will be able to clearly see and give our opinions after. 

Plan to arrive around 9:30am. We will have a light breakfast available and our discussion will start at 10am. Our discussion is reserving the last half hour to discuss why we think the book was banned and whether those fears were credible. We will break for lunch and then watch the movie version and have a short discussion on that afterwards. Of course, we will have wine and nibbles to end our day.  Cost:  $40.00 per person.  You may pay by check, credit card or PayPal.