We will meet weekly to discuss our reading of Homer's Odyssey before considering a recent novelist's reimagination of one character from that ancient Greek epic, a sorceress named Circe, who initially obstructs Homer's homeward-bound hero by turning his shipmates into pigs. Drawing upon legends about Circe embodied in the myths of the ancient Greeks, author Madeline Miller supplies the sorceress with a backstory. In so doing, she creates a feminist epic that, like Homer's, explores the hard realities of being mortal. When faced with courage and tenacity, these hard realities endow humans with a nobility to which even the immortal gods cannot aspire.

In previous years, Quest Reads! participants met at least once with inmates reading the same text at Washington State Penitentiary. This year there will not be a combined class meeting due to the pandemic.

This class will be held online using Zoom. The Zoom Meeting ID and link will be included in your registration confirmation email.

All stories start with a sentence. This class is about writing stories by focusing on the elements found in the elegance of good sentences. All writers of either fiction or non-fiction work will appreciate the opportunity to share their writings, receive thoughtful critiques from fellow classmates, and improve their writing skills.

This class will be held online using Zoom. The Zoom Meeting ID and link will be included in your registration confirmation email.

Arma virumque cano. I sing of arms and the man. Probably the best known bit of Latin poetry, and a stirring opening to a stirring epic. The Aeneid is the foundation text of Rome, and has inspired countless other works of poetry, art, and music. Read about the fall of Troy, Dido and Aeneas, the legendary origins of Italy, the double-edged sword of colonization, and why Matthew's doomed fiance in Downton Abbey was named Lavinia. We will read a highly accessible translation by Fagles at the pace of about a book a week. The instructor will provide historical and literary background, you will provide insightful discussion, and we will jointly gain a greater appreciation of a work that has been enjoyed for centuries.

This class will be held online using Zoom. The Zoom Meeting ID and link will be included in your registration confirmation email.