Garrison’s experiences in Statesville influenced his recent novel, “What Seems True” | Local News


James Garrison’s novel “What Seems True” is the story of the murder and relationships of those around him on the Texas Gulf Coast in 1980, a mixture of fact and narrative fiction as the author explores the topics of murder, sex, racial conflict and work. conflict.

The story is inspired by an actual crime that took place in Port Arthur, Texas in 1979, but there is also a little bit of Statesville, as Garrison grew up here and graduated from Statesville High School. He said his experiences growing up here in the 1960s had an effect on how he created his characters and how they interacted with each other.

“Absolutely. Growing up in Statesville, NC influenced the way I look at things,” Garrison said. “I grew up in the 50s and 60s over there in a small town and you don’t realize that change happens until all of a sudden you look back and wow, like the 50’s and 60’s were a huge change. “

From seeing pastors debating the Civil Rights Act in a church basement, to closing a city swimming pool to avoid desegregation or sit-ins in Greensboro and more locally, these events have left a mark. impact on Garrison. And the fact that these changes rarely happen overnight, and their legacies stretch for decades, was no different than what he would see in Texas. While many Americans had legally taken a step forward, those subject to these laws had to contend with slow progress in the real world.

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