Pollock is the author of "Knockemstiff," a collection of short stories about his hometown in Knockemstiff - about 10 miles southwest of Chillicothe. The book has been positively reviewed with remarks like, "Knockemstiff is a powerful, remarkable, exceptional book," from the Los Angeles Times. The Washington Post Online said Pollock "doesn't so much push the envelope as he does incinerate it." The New York Times Book Review also called it "impossible to over-praise."
The 54-year old Pollock grew up in southern Ohio and dropped out of high school at age 17 to work in a meatpacking plant. He admits to having "cranked up" the hardcore reputation of his small hometown for the purposes of his book.
He spent 32 years working at a paper mill in Chillicothe, and received a degree in English from Ohio University in 1994. Now, he is a graduate student in the MFA program at The Ohio State University, and still lives in Chillicothe with his wife Patsy, a high school English teacher.
"We are thrilled to introduce Donald Ray Pollock to Portsmouth during 'Cream of the Crop,' an exhibition of area artists," said museum Director Sara Johnson. "Here we have a writer from the neighborhood getting national attention, and he fits in perfectly with our current programming."
During his appearance, Pollock will read selections from his book, followed by a question-and-answer session. Copies of the book also will be available for sale and signing.
The museum is located at 825 Gallia St., in Portsmouth.
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