Excitement filled the literary world of Oxford as author Denis Johnson made a much anticipated appearance.
“I’ve never been to Oxford and it’s possible I’ve never been to Mississippi before either and it’s just beautiful,” Johnson said at his book signing Tuesday night at Off Square Books. “I haven’t actually seen the delta country yet and I’m a big blues fan so it’s kind of a special experience to come visit this part of the country.”
Johnson was scheduled to share his work in Oxford in spring of last year, but canceled. Author and director of the MFA program Beth Ann Fennelly invited Johnson to appear at the university and at Square Books.
“Well we were disappointed last year when he got sick and he cancelled so we were glad he was able to come,” said Lyn Roberts, Square Books manager. “You see all the pictures on the wall here of all the great writers who have been here so it’s great to have somebody who is very important like that.”
Johnson made two appearances in Oxford this week. One Tuesday night at Off Square Books and another last night in Bondurant Hall where he read some of the unpublished works he’s been working on for the past six or seven years, including “Silence,” “Accomplices,” “Ad Man,” “Farwell” and “Casanova.” Johnson said these writings focused on the interaction between people and social issues, capturing the everyday struggles of people.
“The overall reading was just thrilling and hands down entertaining,” senior English major Garret Estes said.
“What I found most interesting about his work tonight was this idea that he took snippets of real life,” Ole Miss alumnus Kenneth Jones said. “It was all stuff that you could see in any given day.”
Although Johnson traveled to Mississippi for the literary aspect, he also spent time with students and ate plenty of local cuisine.
“I’ve found out a lot about them by the questions they ask,” Johnson said in reference to the students he had lunch with. “They teach me a lot too, but today they were asking me about short stories. I started telling them about my early short stories and I realized that I had never been able to critique my early short stories before.”
Johnson said he wished he could go back and edit them.
“Their questions made me see what was wrong with it,” he said.
Many other Oxonians were excited for Johnson’s arrival and his time spent around campus and town.
“I think he’s an important American writer and from what I understand, he also does not get out a whole lot to do book signings, such as the one he’s doing right now,” owner of Square Books Richard Howorth said. “I’ve read his books for maybe 25 years and I’ve always hoped that he might come to the bookstore one day, so for me it’s remarkable that he’s here. I’ve never met or seen him before so it’s nice.”
Denis Johnson is best known for his short story collection “Jesus’ Son,” which came out in 1992, but his most recent work has earned him some of the highest literary accolades. His 2007 novel, “Tree of Smoke,” earned him the National Book Award and a Pulitzer Prize nomination.
“I’ve read some of his poems and some of his shorter works. My favorite is probably ‘Jesus’ Son’; it’s the first book I ever read cover to cover,” MFA student Joe Zendarski said at the book signing Tuesday night. “It was a story that was vivid and continuous which was nice and it just kind of kept me there for the entire duration.”
As a visitor, Johnson said he has not yet been to William Faulkner’s house but he has read every book by Oxford’s own.
“A lot of writers have been to Square Books and I’m so happy that this is one great writer who has,” Howorth said.
Natalie Wood contributed to this report.
