THORN: One Book brings 'War' close to home

Published September 21, 2007 at midnight

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Why do the important phone calls always come when the kids are acting up in the background?

I had to chuckle when Denver author Nick Arvin told me about the night he learned that his book was the next pick for One Book, One Denver.

It was 7 p.m., and he was home alone with his son. "It was getting to be his bedtime," he said. "He was starting to get fussy."

As the phone rang and the voice on the other end of the line claimed to be Mayor John Hickenlooper, Arvin's son couldn't have been less interested. He headed for the refrigerator.

He "was trying to get into the fridge, pulling out the glass jars," recalls Arvin. "So the mayor is going, 'This is Mayor Hickenlooper . . . ' and at first I thought it was one of those automated phone calls they do, but then he waited, so I knew it was really him."

Arvin received the kind of news that would give any author a boost: His World War II novel Articles of War would be the focus of Denver's community reading program.

If his son didn't much care, the author was obviously excited by the news. "As a writer," he said, "you dream about getting your book out to a lot of people, and this does that. It's thrilling to be able to get such a big audience."

In some ways, Articles of War is a logical choice for the program, which was clearly interested in finding a local author for its fourth pick. The book received national attention on its release, and there's no question of its literary merit. It's a beautifully told tale that explores a question I would guess most of us have pondered at one time or another: How do soldiers grapple with their fears in the midst of a war? And, by extension, how would we?

Arvin deals with the issue with great skill and nuance. That said, I worry that the book may be too literary for many. The story is less about plot than atmosphere. School kids, especially, will find it challenging - although it would be an excellent choice for serious book clubs. Much meat for discussion.

Hickenlooper is still hoping we'll all talk about it at the gas station and the grocery store. I haven't seen that happening with any of the previous titles, but with a local author to help promote the program, perhaps there's more of a chance.

"One advantage of having a local author is that you can work that person to the bone," Hickenlooper joked at Tuesday's announcement.

Arvin looks like the sort of person who will roll up his sleeves and help out. Still, I hope the city gives the man a break and follows my simple advice: Don't call around 7 p.m.

Bedtime, remember?

NOW FOR THE SOBERING FACTS

The excitement of a new One Book pick was tempered for me this week with the news that participation in the program has been on a sharp decline since its creation in 2004.

I think the book choices have had much to do with that. While the first book, Peace Like a River, had wide appeal with its action-oriented plot and endearing protagonists, the second, Caramelo, was less appropriate. It seemed to be a politically correct choice aimed at Denver's Hispanic residents, which might not have been a problem, but the book is daunting in size and slow-going in parts. Many people simply gave up.

The third pick, The Milagro Beanfield War, was rushed, giving partidipants just four weeks to read the book.

As for Articles of War, let's just say, I'll be crossing my fingers - but not making any bets.

On the decline

Here are the figures on One Book, One Denver, tallied by the Denver Office of Cultural Affairs:

2004: PEACE LIKE A RIVER

• 8,741 book sales

• 9,011 books circulated in metro-area libraries

• 1,910 participants at events

• 44,779 Web-site hits

2005: CARAMELO

• 6,000 book sales

• 6,709 books circulated in metro-area libraries