By Jim Knippenberg
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Discussions about Caryl Phillips' Crossing the River always circle back to one broad topic: slavery.

But JoEllen Hothem thinks it goes beyond that: "What's so compelling about this book is that it's about slavery, but it's so much more about the human condition, and by that I mean all of humanity."

Hothem was making her point last week at the Enquirer's group discussion of River, this year's selection for On the Same Page, the community-wide reading project that encourages people to read the same book, then meet and discuss it and the issues it raises.

Green Township reference librarian Susanne Wells and West End library branch manager Kathy Bach led the discussion that was supposed to last an hour but went for more than two. It got that intense.

But it didn't reach any great consensus, other than agreeing with Hothem's "humanity" theory and a few thoughts on tolerance.

One often-heard remark was that the book is difficult and not terribly accessible, both because of its style and its content.

Wells had something to say about the style: If you were to draw most narratives, they would be a straight, unbroken line. But if you were to draw Phillips' it would be a broken line. The reader is left to fill in the gaps.

"I found it painful reading," Hothem said about the content. "At moments, I was enraged, at moments confused, at moments terribly sad."

When it came to filling in gaps, some filled in more than others. Participant JoAnn Davis kept finding herself lost, not always sure which character was speaking, unsure of their race and lost in the time warp that occurs when a book spans 250 years.

Participant Janet Buening had something to say about the gaps when she dropped her bombshell about Edward and Nash's homosexual relationship. "It's veiled, but it's right here on pages 51, 55 and 56. There's nothing else this could mean."

Another had the group near consensus when she said, "It's a different take on the whole slavery thing - it's seen as a historical event and the rest of the book is the ripple effect. And that's just one injustice after another."

For participant Tom Williams, the Enquirer group was his third discussion group, and he was ready to take the lessons of the book and apply it to Cincinnati today.

"Do any of us feel we've gained anything to bring the city closer together or to make us better Cincinnatians? Does the book give us the tools we need to change?"

Cynthia Smith agreed somewhat, but pointed out that issues facing the city are too complex for a simple answer.

The liveliest part of the discussion came when Luigina Yerino asked: "Please don't take this as negative, but why did the (On the Same page) committee choose this book? Was it the issues?"

"We need to get people to try to read a little bit harder works," Hothem said. "You don't solve anything by dumbing it down."

"We want a book that is accessible so more people will read it," Wells said. "But you also want one that will appeal to avid readers. It's like trying to find a shade of blue that everyone in town will agree on when there are million shades of blue."

She used the "windows and mirrors" theory to further explain: "Some of what you read should mirror your way of living. And some should be a window into other people's way of living.

"And in that way you promote tolerance of other cultures, although I don't like the word 'tolerance.' I'd prefer the word 'appreciation,' and I think this book can do that."

And that's when consensus finally happened.

Events

Caryl Phillips will discuss and sign Crossing the River and answer questions 7 p.m. today at the University of Cincinnati's Tangeman University Center, Great Hall. Free.

Can't be there? Find it on line at http://streaming.uc.edu/.

Phillips will also do a live bit 8 p.m. on Channel 48. Wednesday.(Call-ins welcome).

Got a laptop but no TV? CET will also webcast it at www.CETconnect.org

He will sign and discuss the book noon Wednesday at Joseph-Beth Booksellers, Edwards and Madison roads, Norwood.

His book is also subject of the Mercantile Library's Wednesday discussion group meeting at noon. 414 Walnut St., downtown. Free for members, $5 for non-members.

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E-mail jknippenberg@enquirer.com