Author Sara Gruen, whose 2006 bestseller “Water for Elephants” has been published in 43 countries and sold more than 10 million copies worldwide, will headline the 2016 Lewisburg Literary Festival. The Depression Era novel is credited with focusing public attention on the mistreatment of circus animals, which eventually influenced Ringling Brothers to discontinue elephant acts.
Gruen will speak at Carnegie Hall on Saturday, Aug. 6, at 7 p.m. and sign books afterward. Admission is free but tickets are required as space is limited. Tickets may be obtained by calling the Greenbrier County Visitors Center at 888-716-5082, or dropping by during business hours. Limit six tickets per person.
In conjunction with the festival, the 2011 film adaptation of Gruen’s bestseller, starring Reese Witherspoon, Robert Pattinson and Christopher Waltz, will be shown at the Lewis Theatre on Friday, Aug. 5, at 7 p.m. Admission is free, underwritten by festival sponsors.
Gruen was born in Vancouver, Canada. She moved to the United States in 1999 and lives in Asheville, NC, with her husband, their three sons, and a small menagerie. Her love of animals and concern for their welfare is evident in her writing, and she has been invited to talk about this, as well as about her journey as a writer.
Gruen’s other novels include “Riding Lessons,” “Flying Changes,” “Ape House” and, most recently, “At the Water’s Edge.” Copies of her books will be for sale at the festival.
For more information about all the goings on with this year’s Lewisburg Literary Festival, visit www.LewisburgLiteraryFestival.com or check us out on Facebook for the latest news and updates at www.facebook.com/LewisburgLiteraryFestival.
