Hear excerpts from Perry’s vivid novella, Forty Acres Deep. It’s the brief, unrelenting tale of one farmer’s attempt to make sense of a world he no longer recognizes while pitilessly calling himself into account. Seamed with grim humor and earthy revelations, it is an unforgiving story… and yet leaves open the idea that we might surrender to hope. Dr. Michael Smith, PsyD from Emplify Health by Gundersen, will lead a brief discussion immediately following the reading.

Notice: Forty Acres Deep includes references to suicide and infant death. This book includes blunt and accurate profanity.

Michael Perry is an accidental New York Times bestselling author, humorist, singer/songwriter, amateur snow plow driver, and playwright from New Auburn, Wisconsin.

Perry’s bestselling memoirs include Population: 485 (subsequently adapted for the stage), Truck: A Love Story, Coop, Visiting Tom, and Montaigne in Barn Boots. Among his other dozen titles are The Scavengers (for young readers), his novel The Jesus Cow, Peaceful Persistence, Hunker, and his most recent book, the novella Forty Acres Deep. Raised on a small Midwestern dairy farm, Perry put himself through nursing school while working on a ranch in Wyoming, then detoured into writing. He lives with his wife and two daughters in rural Wisconsin, where he still makes an occasional call with the local volunteer fire and rescue service. He hosts the nationally-syndicated “Tent Show Radio,” performs widely as a humorist, and tours with his band the Long Beds. His three live humor albums include Never Stand Behind A Sneezing Cow and The Clodhopper Monologues. He can be found online at www.sneezingcow.com. Michael also hosts a subscription audio newsletter at www.michaelperry.substack.com.

Prior to the performance, guests are invited to a reception in the Kader Gallery starting at 6:00 PM. Resources from Emplify Health by Gundersen Health, Great Rivers 211, Better Together, NAMI West Central Wisconsin, and UW Extension will be on display to empower community members to make informed choices about their mental health.