Vowell’s interests vary: Author’s work a chronicle of her research

Sarah Vowell's writing lies at the crossroads of the personal and the political. Although, her career has spanned, TV show appearances, music critic, contributing editor to the radio series 'This American Life,” and voicing the character Violet in 'The Incredibles,” her writing always brings those experiences to the place where history intertwines with personal narrative.

Vowell is the first author in the 2014 Author Out Loud! Series sponsored by the Metro Library Network. She will speak Friday. Wally Lamb will speak July 11 and Elizabeth Berg will close the series on July 18.

Vowell says her appearances tend to draw a diverse crowd.

'Most of my audience is the general reader. And then there are the history nerds. And because most of my books involve political figures and political events and wars, I will attract politically engaged people on either side of the aisle. I think I've found one recurring duo at my readings is liberal college kid brings his Republican dad or middle-aged lesbian brings her Republican dad. Because I write about things Republican dads care about in a way that their lily-livered offspring can get with.”

The mixed bag of audience members are a result of Vowell's varied career and eclectic interests. Her favorite show right now is 'Dangerous Grounds”, which airs on the Travel Channel. The show follows coffee magnate, Todd Carmichael as he explores the places coffee comes from.

Beyond Carmichael's grueling adventures, Vowell likes the show because, 'I think it also speaks to what I do a little bit. Because there is this thing - coffee - which most people consume once or many times a day and they don't think about where it's from or what political situation is involved in procuring it from all around the world.”

She draws inspiration from the past as well. She is fascinated, for example, by Scottish 19th century travel writer Isabella Bird.

'She just really got around. She went to the Rockies, she went to Hawaii and she went to Japan,” Vowell says. 'She was just everywhere. And what a life she must have had to see all these places before they changed. And so, I wouldn't mind being her buddy.”

Vowell has Scottish herself. She's discovered details about her ancestors who used to run across the border, robbing and looting. 'There are songs about these people, I haven't found them yet, but I will,” says Vowell. 'It's like every door I open there is another hallway leading somewhere else. It's just fascinating. History isn't boring.”

In Vowell's hands, history, is indeed, never is dull.

Her current project takes place during the Revolutionary War.

'The interesting thing about (my research) is how fundamental (the Revolutionary War) is to who we are as a people and it's fun to question that. The other day, I was in Philadelphia in Independence Hall and you know there is the room where they signed the Declaration of Independence and had the constitutional convention and it's also the place where Abraham Lincoln's body was held ... And it's so interesting, because it's easy just to think ‘Declaration of Independence yay!' but it's also the place that also set into motion the next several decades of slavery. And it's all just so complicated. And (in that place) I can be excited about the Declaration of Independence, while also thinking about slavery. I guess I can see the bright and dark side of just about everything.”

From coffee, to Scottish robber clans, to Independence Hall, 'it's exhausting being so curious,” she says.

Throughout, though, the desire to make the history present is a common thread. Vowell loves that moment when history crosses paths with the present.

'The most interesting part of history is when it intersects with life and this random other thing. I was just reading about the revolution in Thailand where the protestors are using the Mockingjay sign, to protest the military coup. And there was an interview with one of the generals, talking about how people are making this sign. And he was saying how if one kid makes the sign they weren't going to arrest him, but if many people are making the sign then we will have to do something about it. And it's this thing from a young adult novel that's come to life.”

All of her books dip in and out of the present and the past, moving seamlessly, in a way that makes time fluid.

In her book 'Assassination Vacation,” Vowell travels to the places where American presidents were shot. In 'Unfamiliar Fishes,” Vowell goes to Hawaii to tell the story of the state in the 19th century.

'My writing is a chronicle of what I've learned,” shey says.

For 'Unfamiliar Fishes,” 'I did normal historian stuff like go to the library and search through archives, I also learned from talking to people or riding the bus or reading the local paper,” Vowell says. 'It's what I called quantity time. I just hang out and absorb. While I do the research in the classic sense, there is just so many things you can learn from talking to the docent at a local museum, or things you learn from having dinner with people.”

'I studied art history and there is this thing called exposing the process where the viewer knows how the person made the painting. And I think in my books, I don't just say 'here is what I know, I am imparting wisdom.' I say, ‘here is the exact moment I learned this one thing from this 80-year-old man.' So some of that makes it more informal and I hope entertaining, it's also the most democratic approach to scholarship. Because there are things I can only learn from an archive, but there are things I can only learn talking to an old guy.”

Vowell's research reflects those standards. She eschews the internet, preferring instead to witness and learn history through experience. 'There are still some things you need eyeballs for. You still need to ask a local. I find the internet for skeletal basic information. But do I use it in any meaningful way? No.

'You see, I'm one of the last of the old ones. I got through college writing on a typewriter. I wrote my first book on a typewriter. Although people my age or slightly younger than me are completely adapted to the digital age, I don't feel comfortable there.”

The Internet and social media is 'really only good if you are a freedom fighter. Or if you're insane, or not insane, but a singular individual like Kanye West,” she says.

It's just that brand of eclecticism and humor that bring her readers, fans and their lily-livered offspring to hear her talk.

IF YOU GO

All Out Loud! series events will take place at 7 p.m. at The Hotel at Kirkwood Center, 7725 Kirkwood Blvd. SW, Cedar Rapids.

While no tickets are required, series organizers are requesting preregistration.

Register online or contact any of the Metro Libraries or send an email to events@crlibrary.org.

All Out Loud! authors will take questions from the audience and sign books following their presentations.

Appearances are as follows:

June 27: Sarah Vowell

July 11: Wally Lamb

July 18: Elizabeth Berg