Kent Nerburn came to Northfield last night to read from his new book Road Angels, sponsored by the Carleton/St. Olaf Bookstore. I first came across him when I reviewed his book Letters To My Son for Utne Reader back in the early 90s. When the paperback came out, the publisher quoted from my review on the cover: “Clear and gentle guidance about the big issues in life… Nerburn delivers an eloquent spiritual philosophy to fathers in a way that men can easily hear.” In ’96, his publisher reissued the book, removed the male/father-centric chapters, and then retitled it, using a phrase from my quote as the byline: Simple Truths: Clear & Gentle Guidance on the Big Issues in Life.
I first met him a book signing about two years ago. He was appreciative of the quote and said that the smaller book sold much better with that new title. He signed it: “For Griff, who made me love this book all over again. Thanks. – Kent Nerburn.”
He knows nothing about Real Joe yet, nor that his book Letters to My Son and the review I wrote seeded the idea of Real Joe in my brain.
I’m reading Road Angels right now, so I thought I’d bring it for him to sign. But then I thought, naw, I’ll just go and listen. The bookstore manager Dan greeted me by name within earshot of him and he then recognized my name, shook my hand and we chatted a bit. He read for about 45 minutes, including a blurb about forgiveness from his book Calm Surrender because of the terrorist attack this week. He answered some questions and then I left when he went to sign books. I had a racquetball tourney match.
At some point, I’ll tell him about Real Joe, but I’m not sure when.