On this month’s episode of the Deerfield Public Library Podcast, I have the honor of presenting a conversation with the author Jasmon Drain about his remarkable book of short stories, Stateway’s Garden. These linked stories explore characters who live in and are shaped by the Chicago public housing project Stateway Gardens, which was torn down in 2007.
Stateway’s Garden is Jasmon Drain’s debut book. We discuss how a writer navigates the responsibility and expectations involved in writing about a real place. Jasmon also reveals the careful craft of weaving markers of time, nature, and Chicago political history into the lives of his characters. Our conversation is a celebration of the short story as a way of knowing about the world.
I make no secret that I think this book is a major contribution to the literature of Chicago. But you don’t have to take my word for it–Sandra Cisneros says of Jasmon Drain’s work “I bow to this writer in gratitude.”
You can check out Stateway’s Garden at the Deerfield Public Library, or find it at your local library or bookstore.
We hope you enjoy our 47th episode with Jasmon Drain! Each month we release an episode featuring conversations with notable guests, including authors, artists, and leaders from Deerfield, Chicagoland, and around the world. Learn more about the podcast on our podcast page.
You can listen to all of our episodes in the player below or on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Google Play, or anywhere else you listen to podcasts. We welcome your comments and feedback—please send to podcast@deerfieldlibrary.org.
