Pasadena Picks ‘Properties of Thirst,’ a Family SagaThat Exposes Dark Chapters in America’s Past, for One City, One Story Novel

Pasadena has chosen a novel that delves into the history of water, war, and identity in the American West as its One City, One Story book for 2024.

 “Properties of Thirst” by Marianne Wiggins follows the lives of three generations of a family whose fate is intertwined with the events that shaped the region, from the Water Wars that drained the Owens Valley to the internment of Japanese Americans at Manzanar during World War II.

The novel, which combines historical research and lyrical storytelling, challenges the readers to confront the legacy of injustice and violence that haunts the land and the people. It also celebrates the power of art and literature to reveal and resist the forces that seek to erase and silence marginalized voices.

The One City, One Story program, which is celebrating its 22nd year, is a community initiative that encourages Pasadena residents to read and discuss the same book, as well as participate in various activities and events related to the book’s themes and topics. The program kicks off on Saturday, March 2, at the Lamanda Park Branch Library, where the author and the book will be introduced, and a special presentation by a grandson of a famous Japanese American photographer who was interned at Manzanar will be given. 

“Each year, our One City, One Story Selection Committee recommends a compelling book that engages the community in conversation,” Catherine Haskett Hany, from the Pasadena Public Library’s communications office, said. 

“Members of the committee begin their selection in June reviewing, reading many, many books as well as book reviews and YouTube presentations by authors throughout the summer. Once the committee has come to a decision the nominee list is announced in November and the final author and book selection in December.” 

At Lamanda Park Branch Library, Adult Services Manager Christine Reeder will speak about the One City, One Story program’s history and significance, alongside discussions on past selections and the current pick. The event marks the Pasadena Public Library’s “Past, Present and Future” project, which is in celebration of its 140th anniversary. Copies of “Properties of Thirst” will be available on a limited basis. 

Adding historical depth to the event, Alan Miyatake, grandson of renowned Japanese American photographer Toyo Miyatake, will showcase photographs capturing the experience of Japanese Americans interned during World War II at Manzanar. Miyatake’s clandestine images offer a rare glimpse into the hardships endured by interned families.

The celebration reaches its pinnacle on Saturday, March 23, 2 p.m., with a thought-provoking conversation with author Marianne Wiggins at Pasadena Presbyterian Church, located at 585 E. Colorado Blvd.

Wiggins is the author of eight novels, including “John Dollar” and “Evidence of Things Unseen,” which was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction and the National Book Award. She has won a Whiting Award, a National Endowment for the Arts fellowship and the Heidinger Kafka Prize and was shortlisted for the Women’s Prize for Fiction. 

In 2016, Wiggins suffered a stroke, leaving her unable to read or write. She was eventually able to regain those abilities and completed “Properties of Thirst,” her bestselling novel, over the course of several years. She was assisted by her daughter Lara Porzak. 

Wiggins currently lives in Los Angeles, California, where she has been in the English department of the University of Southern California since 2005.

In addition to author discussions, a series of supplementary events throughout March offer deeper insights into the historical context of “Properties of Thirst.” From film screenings documenting the struggles of Japanese Americans during internment to educational presentations on the legacy of Manzanar, these events aim to enrich the community’s understanding of the novel’s themes and historical backdrop.

Hany said all the 22 One City, One Story books will be on view and highlighted on Saturday at Lamanda Park Library. The free books are made possible by the Friends of The Pasadena Public Library and from a grant from the Pasadena Literary Alliance.

For more information about One City, One Story, visit https://cityofpasadena.libguides.com/onecityonestory. 

To learn more about the library’s 140th anniversary celebration, visit www.cityofpasadena.net/library/140th-anniversary-celebration/.