A Good Man, by Larry Baker

Review by Brenda Seward

Before I begin to tell you about A Good Man, I must confess that I wrote a review for this book when I first read it in October, but when I looked back at it, I realized I did not quite do this wonderful book justice. So, please consider this a review redux.

I was fortunate enough to have this book introduced to me - by the author himself - at the SIBA (Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance) trade show last September. The author, Larry Baker, was behind a table featuring his newest release, and as I passed by, he called me over, introduced himself and began to tell me about the genesis of the central character of his book, Harry Ducharme.

For lack of a more apt description, Harry Ducharme is the literary love child of Flannery O’Conner and singer Harry Chapin. To be more exact, Baker drew his inspiration for Harry Ducharme from at least one Flannery O’Conner story: A Good Man Is Hard to Find and the storytelling through songs of Harry Chapin. Baker tells the story of when he was initially writing A Good Man - that Harry was not intended to be the central character. Initially, he had wanted to write about a charlatan preacher, much like Elmer Gantry. However, while writing a pivotal scene in the book, Baker found the true voice of A Good Man: Harry Ducharme.

New Virginia Initiative Celebrates Women in the Arts

(Richmond, Va.) Virginia's status as a destination for those who love the arts receives a special boost this spring with the launch of Minds Wide Open: Virginia Celebrates Women in the Arts, a statewide celebration of music, dance, theater, literary and visual arts. The first statewide initiative of its kind, Minds Wide Open focuses on plays, choreography, compositions, paintings, photography or films created by women or featuring women as the primary focus. Performances and exhibitions will occur at venues throughout the Commonwealth.

Virginia has been the birthplace or home of some of the most beloved women artists. Ella Fitzgerald, Patsy Cline and Shirley MacLaine are American legends. Daphne Reid has delighted audiences as both an actress and director. Photographer Sally Mann, artist P. Buckley Moss and writer Rita Mae Brown are celebrated as among the very best of their medium. Their legacy is shared by women throughout Virginia whose talents inspire those around them.