2012 Freshman Summer Reading Program

WADING HOME, by Rosalyn Story has been selected for Clemson’s 2012 Freshman Summer Reading Program!

As the shadow of Hurricane Katrina looms, Simon Fortier knows how he plans to face the storm—in his long-time home in the city's Treme neighborhood, just as he did through so many storms before. But when Katrina's waters rise and the city’s broken levees cause devastating floods, Simon disappears. His son Julian, a celebrated trumpeter, learns of the storm's impact in a Tokyo jazz bar, where he’s attempting a comeback after a serious facial injury. He rushes to the home city he left years before, to search for a father with whom he'd been on difficult terms over preparing for the hurricane. Julian’s return to New Orleans brings him back in touch with figures from his past, including an old love he left behind to pursue his career in New York, and a fellow trumpeter who never left their home city. His search for Simon takes him to the rural plot where Simon grew up, and Julian is drawn deep into its troubles. As he tries to come to grips with his father's likely fate and struggles to regain his trumpet chops, Julian slowly gains a deeper, richer understanding of the father with whom he'd been at odds. In this follow up to her critically acclaimed More Than You Know, Rosalyn Story has written a vivid and compelling story that grows more relevant by the moment as the people of New Orleans are once again torn apart, and brought together, by disaster. This new book underscores how the complex culture of New Orleans remains fascinating and important, even after being marked forever by Katrina. WADING HOME is an important book about one of America’s most important cities, but it’s also a captivating page-turner. Lyrical, accessible, compelling, and populated by a broad, fully realized cast of supporting characters, its timeless story tells how this son strives to save his father: shaken to the core by the devastation of a city, he discovers the true meaning of home, family, and history.

All incoming Clemson freshmen are required to participate in the Summer Reading Program as part of their LIB 100 Course Requirements. Students will receive a complimentary copy of WADING HOME when they come to Summer Orientation. On August 20, 2012, Rosalyn Story will address the entire freshman class at 1 p.m. in Littlejohn Coliseum. Immediately following Ms. Story’s address, students will discuss their thoughts and reactions in small groups across campus, led by Clemson faculty and staff.

Anyone with questions about the Freshman Summer Reading program should contact Casey Berkshire at clberks@clemson.edu.