A community-wide “book read” is underway in Iowa City.The University of Iowa’s Center for Human Rights and the Prairie Lights Bookstore are encouraging students and adults in Iowa City to read a book written by an Algerian novelist. It’s titled “The Last Summer of Reason.” University of Iowa president Mary Sue Coleman’s reading it.Coleman says the book’s about the absurdities of a religiously fanatic state and its brutal assault on a small bookstore owner. The book’s author was murdered in 1993 by Islamic fundamentalists. On December 5th, another Algerian author and an author from the “Freedom to Write Committee” will be in Iowa City to discuss the book, and how it might reflect the new world order.The book’s short, only 145 pages long, and the author’s name is Tahir Djaout. The December 5th forum will be held in Buchanan Hall on the University campus.
