683-706 Growing Up in The Shadow Year
Class | Registration opens 2/9/2026 11:00 AM
It's the early 1960's, Lyndon Johnson is President and summer is coming to a close on Long Island. Jim, Mary and an unnamed sibling narrator appear and draw us into their household with their overworked father, alcoholic mother and two eccentric grandparents. Life moves along in its mundane sameness until the neighborhood is upended by a night prowler and a missing child. At the same time, other shadowy events begin to take place that could possibly be linked to the three siblings. Suddenly we are enmeshed in the dark magic of a small-town childhood.
Jeffrey Ford's The Shadow Year is a masterful re-creation of a unique time and place, a celebration of youth and a poignant portrait of home. The novel does not disappoint with its humor and insightful coming-of-age story.
Join me as we read the novel together and revisit our own memories of growing up and entering the confusing world of adulthood.
- This course was added to our spring listings after the publication of the 2026 Winter & Spring catalog. Please feel free to spread the word to others about this discussion class from BILL.
Logan Coney
LOGAN CONEY spent 20 years in education in various capacities. Her experience extends to teaching reading and English in alternative educational settings, middle school and high school, including college placement and advanced placement courses.