Read & Run Chicago’s book club run of Naomi Hirahara's mystery novel, Clark and Division, is back–now with new speakers!
During this event in collaboration with Italic Type, you’ll run a ~4.5-mile route inspired by Clark and Division lead by guide Chelsey Grassfield followed by a virtual Q&A with author Naomi HIrahara. If you loved this book but prefer to join only for the post-run Q&A, plan to arrive at the Near North Library Branch (310 W Division St) between 11:45am-12pm.
Hirahara’s novel takes place in World War II-era Chicago in which thousands of Japanese-Americans are relocated to inland cities–like Chicago–after being uprooted from their homes and placed in forced internment camps. Main character Aki arrives in Chicago's Near North Side to reunite with her older sister, and instead finds herself faced with a tragedy and personal challenges. We’ll talk about Aki’s journey and what Chicago’s Near North Side would have looked like for Japanese-American migrants in the 1940s.