GE2A
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
PAGE 3A
North 10 to 15 nce of
THURSDAY, MAY 2, 2013
/KANSAN re no partment that if aular ac- safe," he nimum; campus else."
Conover
CAMPUS
TRAVIS YOUNG/KANSAN
Professor's novel mixes local history and fiction
Professor Chester Sullivan is the author of the Kaw Triology, "Rattlesnakes in the Rock Chalk" is the second book of the series, and it is featured in the Kansas Union Bookstore.
JENNA JAKOWATZ
The limestone of Lawrence has more significance than just "Rock Chalk."
"Rattlesnakes in the Rock Chalk" is Professor Chester Sullivan's latest novel, the second in the Kaw Trilogy. It brings to life an epic story of history, mystery and romance — all happening in Lawrence.
jjakowatz@kansan.com
The Kaw Trilogy dives into the history of Kansas through the use of fictional characters that interact with real historical figures and take part in events that really happened in Kansas.
Sullivan, a creative writing professor at the University, drew
inspiration for Rattlesnakes from the University's own professor and 19th century naturalist and explorer, Lewis Dyche, for whom Dyche Hall is named.
"I wanted to write a series of books tracing history to the present. I wanted to focus on the activities of people, of the town, river and natural history preserve. A lot of action takes place at the natural history preserve." Sullivan said.
For the last several years, Sullivan spent much of his time researching Lawrence, especially the natural history preserve.
The central character, Anna Earlson, a pre-med student who has just graduated with a biology degree, receives a fellowship to manage a reptile survey, on
the natural history preservation — a site where Ansel Drucker, an unemployed printer from St. Louis, mined limestone using dynamite until he eventually died in his hermit's cave in 1886. A few years later, a professor builds her home and a tower out of Drucker's same limestone. She fell to her death from the tower and her ghost is rumored to haunt the site.
The novel dives into the history of the site, nicknamed Snake Farm, and the experiences of the characters that live and work on Snake Farm.
"My favorite aspect was being able to apply my own imagination to factual situations, being able to invent characters who become real people to me and watching them
move and interact," Sullivan said. "The plot is forward moving and builds suspense. There are some expectations fulfilled and some surprises along the way."
Sullivan is currently gathering research for the final volume of the trilogy. It will focus on Truman Capote, famous author of "In Cold Blood." In the upcoming book, Capote dresses in disguise in Lawrence to gather information for an article he is working on about William Burroughs, another famous novelist. Burroughs is unaware Capote is doing a laudatory about him, and the novel will focus on the action in Lawrence of Capote trying to secretly get information about Burroughs.
versity, which means Sullivan was able to conduct his research and write Rattlesnakes through funding by the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. The college is also currently funding his research for his next novel.
The University is a research uni-
"It's important to write fictions because they give expression to ideas that are not fictional, like history and social history." Sullivan said.
"Rattlesnakes in the Rock Chalk" is currently featured in the Kansas Union Bookstore and available for purchase on Amazon.
— Edited by Hayley Jozwiak
Walking down the hill and leaving before the ceremony is a little like walking down the aisle and leaving before you say "i do." www.commergenceku.edu
POLICE REPORTS
- A 33-year-old male was arrested yesterday on the 1900 block of 23rd Street on suspicion of possession of drug paraphernalia, attempting to elude and operating a vehicle under the influence. A $700 bond was paid.
- A 28-year-old male was arrested Tuesday on the 3700 block of Franklin Circle on suspicion of criminal trespassing. A $100 bond was paid.
- A 20-year-old female was arrested Tuesday on the 2400 block of Cedarwood Drive on suspicion of domestic battery. No bond was posted.
- A 29-year-old male was arrested Tuesday on the 300 block of East 1950 Road on suspicion of driving while intoxicated. A $250 bond was paid.
—Emily Donovan
Maker Faire Kansas City
A FESTIVAL OF INVENTION & CREATIVITY
EXPERIENCE THE SHOW-ME STATE'S MOST INSPIRING EVENT