‘Newtown Reads’ Program

Mimi Fast To Discuss Her Late Husband’s Work

News of Newtown Reads has spread beyond town lines to Old Greenwich where Mimi Fast lives. Mrs Fast will be visiting C.H. Booth Library on Friday, April 11, at 7:30 pm, to provide interesting and personal insights into the works and life of her late husband, Howard M. Fast, the author of April Morning. Mr Fast passed away on March 12.

Mrs Fast will introduce a video tape of a presentation Howard Fast gave in 1999 at Wilton High School about April Morning and then follow up with a question and answer period.

Howard Fast, the blacklisted writer who rose from poverty to become one of the most widely read authors of the 20th Century, wrote more than 75 novels, screenplays, and biographies, specializing in historical fiction. His canon includes Spartacus, Freedom Road, Citizen Tom Paine, and the five-book Lavette family series in addition to April Morning.

April Morning, the Newtown Reads selection, was written in just three weeks back in 1962. The Fasts were dropping off their 14-year-old son at summer camp in Massachusetts, and stopped by Sturbridge Village on their way home. While at the museum Mr Fast reportedly came across a newspaper article describing events that took place in Lexington. From this experience, April Morning was born.

The program with Mimi Fast is free but reservations are requested. Call the library at 426-4533 to reserve a place. Light refreshments will follow the talk. Booth Library is at 25 Main Street.