Turn around time.
Those of an outdoorsy persuasion will understand the term as it applies to the point in a journey when one must cease advancing in order to begin the trek back to where you began, regardless of whether you have reached your desired destination or not.
Time waits for no one, sad but true, and though it has not yet grown too very late the sun is sinking in the sky and the shadows are growing long.
Thus, “Turn Around Time: A Walking Poem for the Pacific Northwest.”
It’s a poignant consideration on several levels — literally, practically, philosophically, emotionally — and also the perfect title for David Guterson’s new book-length narrative poem, a metaphor for where one finds oneself in the middle of life explored and expressed through a lyrical journey along a trail, much like those in Washington’s mountain ranges so loved by the author.
The island icon, a Guggenheim Fellow and former teacher at Bainbridge High School, is perhaps best known for his 1994 novel “Snow Falling on Cedars,” winner of that year’s PEN/Faulkner Award for Fiction and eventually adapted into a film that was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Cinematography. And although his bibliography consists primarily of novels, he is also renowned for his nonfiction, essays, short stories and poetry.
Previously, his latest published work was 2014’s “Problems with People: Stories.”
“Turn Around Time” (from Mountaineers Books) includes illustrations from Justin Gibbens, whose work is collected by many individuals and institutions, including the Washington Arts Consortium, Grinnell College, Microsoft, and the Tacoma Art Museum.
Both author and artist will visit the Bainbridge Island Museum of Art for a special pop-up exhibition, reading and signing event starting at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 19.
Guterson will begin reading at 7 and books will be signed at 8 p.m.
Admission is free, though reservations are recommended and available through www.brownpapertickets.com.
Visit the “events” section of either www.eagleharborbooks.com or www.biartmuseum.org to learn more.
