A sweeping saga told in the voice of an unforgettable heroine, The Belle of Two Arbors brings two places vividly to life: a growing “downstate” town driven by a public university striving for greatness, and a small “up north” community seeking prosperity while preserving its natural heritage. Spanning the first half of the twentieth century, Belle’s remarkable story is interweaved with accounts of historical events as well as memorable appearances by some of our favorite poets, including Emily Dickinson, W. H. Auden, and Robert Frost.

Paul Dimond will talk about his experience conducting research for his novel at the Ann Arbor District Library, the Bentley Historical Library, and the Special Collections Library in the University of Michigan’s University Library. He will be accompanied by Martha (Marty) Buhr Grimes, who wrote the poems that are Belle’s in the novel.

Paul and Marty are lifelong Ann Arbor residents who share a passion for poetry, their hometown, and Lake Michigan. 

This event includes a book signing and books will be for sale at the event courtesy of Literati Bookstore.

Ann Arbor District Library, Downtown Library
Multi-Purpose Room
343 South Fifth Avenue
Ann Arbor, Michigan 48104
734.327.4200
Wednesday September 13, 2017
7:00 pm to 8:30 pm

For more on writing in-depth historic fiction, read Patti Smith's interview with Paul Dimond for Pulp, a blog dedicated to Arts Around Ann Arbor. “The Bell of Two Arbors is a historical novel that’s heavy on research.”  August 10, 2017.

Download a flyer for this event (PDF).