Dr. Denny Wilkins, professor of journalism in the Jandoli School of Communication, has published his second novel. “Reviving an Organ” explores the formation and sustenance of human relationships through the lens of two wounded people — a hermitic writer/blogger and a piano repairwoman who abandoned a career as a composer to help a grandfather in need. Their resulting affair takes place almost entirely inside an abandoned German Lutheran church in rural New England.
The writer — Daniel — faces the unexpected and painful intrusion of emotion into his life as the repairwoman — Sena — sets about repairing his piano, his 100-year-old Estey pipe organ, and Daniel himself. Through its protagonists “Reviving an Organ” surveys the roles of intimacy, passion, loyalty, and independence as binding forces between two lovers.
“Reviving an Organ” does not dwell entirely on an affair between two people. Daniel’s blog posts explore contemporary American political and cultural issues. Sena’s renaissance as a composer allows her to relearn how to form meaningful friendships outside her affair with Daniel. Both threads connect to strengthen their bond.
Wilkins’ first novel, “Mapping Utah,” explores the same ground as his second novel although on a much larger stage — two lovers caught in environmental conflict in the American West. Wilkins is working on a third novel.
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