Professor Garry's "Novel" Ideas

Law students read "heavy" casebooks throughout the academic year, so when winter finally gives way to summer it's enjoyable to choose "lighter" reading. An earlier blog highlighted the poetry of Professor Frank Pommersheim, while this entry focuses on the novels of USD Law Professor Patrick Garry.

Like Professor Frank Pommersheim, Professor Garry's scholarly books can be viewed on the USD Law Library's SelectedWorks page.  

In addition to 11 non-fiction books, Professor Garry has written 8 novels that range in theme from a courtroom page-turner to a family building a community bomb shelter in a small town during the cold war era. A summary of each of his novels can be found on Garry's website.

Of Garry's book The Prisoner, literary critic, John Austin of The Book Club, Tampa, Florida writes "The Prisoner ... once again shows this author’s uncanny ability to take a simple story and turn it into a powerful and moving experience for the reader. In this book, the main characters eventually are faced with a decision that will change each of their lives forever. The choice is between what is morally and ethically right or the expedient alternative. The twists come like body blows as each one decides, and the novel’s conclusion will leave the reader feeling as though they have been struck by a sledge hammer to the chest. The Prisoner only reinforces my feeling that Patrick Garry is one of our best American writers, and his work deserves a far bigger audience. If you haven’t read one of his books, I would recommend that you start now."

Many of Professor Garry's novels have received multiple awards. His awards include the Jack Eadon Award for Best Contemporary Fiction, the Eric Hoffer Literary Award, and the National Best Novel Award.

(This post was originally written and posted by Candice Spurlin)