In this time of distance learning and social isolation, The Bicycle Man reminds us that, when trial and turmoil befall us, nothing is more important than believing in each other, keeping the spirit of community alive and reaching across whatever divides us to sustain the personal connections at the heart of who we are as a nation diverse yet united.
If you think this story might complement your course work as, for example, a paired reading or summer book list entry, we can provide you with an advance review copy at no charge. For a limited time, we can also arrange for the author, Richmond native Bob Deans, to schedule a virtual visit to your classroom to discuss the book, his writing process, and to respond to questions from your students. You may wish to take a look at the Author Q & A page, for prospective points of discussion.
In prose one reviewer called “lyrical, lustrous and tender,” The Bicycle Man takes readers to the outskirts of the Virginia capital in the spring of 1968. There, delivering the Richmond paper each morning becomes a hero’s journey into the riven heart of a nation torn by racial ferment and divisive war for Sandy, who confronts a staggering loss with help from a mysterious figure who reshapes forever his vision of friendship, faith and possibility.
With schools closed, soccer practice cancelled and our children huddling close to home, this coming of age story recalls a time when a bamboo forest marked the border between two worlds, a honeysuckle swamp was a place of mystery and myth and darkness gave way each day at dawn to the promise of unscheduled time.
To receive a review copy or learn more about a virtual classroom discussion, please contact us here.
