BY KAREN BOSSICK

Peter Mann, the newest Writer-In-Residence at the Hemingway House, will discuss his literary thriller “The Torqued Man” at 6 p.m. tonight—Thursday, March 23—at Ketchum’s Community Library.

Mann will be in conversation with the Library’s executive director Jenny Emery Davidson about his debut novel, which was named one of the Best Books of 2022 by The New Yorker magazine.

The darkly comic blend of history and invention is set in wartime Berlin where two manuscripts are found in the rubble, each narrating conflicting versions of the life of an Irish spy during World War II. One is the journal of a German military intelligence officer who depicts the Irishman as a charismatic IRA fighter sprung from prison to assist with the planned German invasion of Britain. The other depicts him as someone on a mission to assassinate high-ranking Nazi doctors, including Hitler’s personal physician.

"Peter’s book is a thrilling ride, and we’re so excited for him to meet our community,” said Martha Williams, the Library’s director of programs and education. “On March 23 he’ll share more about The Torqued Man, a World War II story of espionage and compelling character. We’ll also get to hear about some of his other work.

“His online comic The Quixote Syndrome explores history, literature, and the absurd, and is visually stunning. He brings such creativity to all he does, and we’re thrilled to have him with us for several weeks of residency.”  

Mann has a PhD in modern European history. He teaches history and literature at Stanford and is a graphic artist and cartoonist. Here, he said, he’s looking for “a well-lighted place to work, surrounded by natural beauty and the legacy of a literary great.”

“I’m hoping Hemingway’s ghost helps me turn out a few decent sentences and ensures the beer is cold and good,” he added.

To attend in person, RSVP at https://thecommunitylibrary.libcal.com/event/9725599. The program will be livestreamed and available to view later at https://vimeo.com/event/3153203.