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Join us for a special evening with Manship Artist, Charles Coe, who will read from his newly released book Purgatory Road on Friday, May 19th at 7pm.

Purgatory Road is Coe’s fourth collection of poetry and has been described as his most compelling collection of poetry to date. Coe is renowned for his powerful readings and unusually warm and compassionate voice, his poems speak to the heart and mind as well as the ear. Combining subjects as diverse as Afro-American history, myth, jazz, and family as well as surprising observations of those unexpected moments of joy to be found in a work-a-day inner city life. Above all, Coe’s poems touch upon what is essential in us all and speak of life as a gift that is far from perfect but all we have.

Guests will be able to purchase books at Coe’s reading, which he will be happy to inscribe for you. Should you wish to order an advance copy, please visit your local independent bookstore – they can order it! Copies are also available through Bookshop.org.

“Coe is a poet’s poet, a jazzy, postmodern Ben Johnson . . . understated, but shimmering with wit, compassion, integrity of purpose.” – The Phoenix