2020 One Book, One New Paltz

The Benjamin Center for Public Policy Initiatives is pleased to announce the selection of the 2020 One Book, One New Paltz: “Ocean at the End of the Lane,” by Neil Gaiman.

This story follows a middle-aged man who returns as an adult to his hometown to attend a funeral and, while there, remembers a fantastical series of events from his childhood. Are these memories of real space and time? Or are they a child’s way of making sense of a scary world? Part reality, part fantasy, this haunting story takes us deep into a young boy’s inner world, and brings us to reflect on our own understanding of reality, memory, childhood, and what it means to be human.

Join the Center for a series of conversations, led by faculty, community members and students about the many facets of this intriguing book, Nov. 8 – 15, 2020.  A schedule of events will be released this fall.

Participation in One Book One New Paltz events from faculty and students is welcome and the inclusion of the One Book book in faculty syllabi is encouraged.

Faculty who are interested in the possibility of having their students host a One Book event should contact Robin Jacobowitz at jacobowr@newpaltz.edu.