The second reading for The Penniman Menagerie was held on March 18 at the home of Carla Lidner. As the narrative takes place towards the end of the 19th century, the setting was perfect (although I doubt the Penniman Manor house was quite as elegantly furnished). After the twenty guests enjoyed a delicious luncheon, I talked about some of the book’s themes, and how a single incident that took place nearly fifteen years ago gave me the germ of an idea that eventually developed into The Penniman Menagerie. The question-and-answer time that followed was especially rich.
I’m always interested in where ideas come from and how they lurk in the subconscious, only to emerge during the writing process—sometimes unrecognized even then. It was not until the day at Carla’s that, in response to a question, I talked about my childhood love of the Fleishhacker Zoo in San Francisco. I hadn’t thought about that zoo in many years, yet that submerged memory became source material for The Penniman Menagerie. Great day all around—thank you, Carla!
