“It was a dark and stormy night…” Actually, it was a dark and drizzly evening, but despite the inclement weather, a strong contingent of Estonian book lovers turned out for the book launch of Throwing the Hammer. The event took place at the Dorval Library in Montréal’s West Island.
Throwing the Hammer is a laugh-out-loud story about a novice physics teacher in a private school. “I don’t think there is a profession in which you’ll find more humour, more nonsense, more petty intrigue, and in particular, more human growth, than that of a high school teacher,” Kirchner said in his opening remarks. “And that’s just the staffroom!”
Kirchner was a teacher for almost four decades, covering every level from Secondary I to university, in both private and public institutions. “I have a ton of stories to tell,” he told the audience. “This book is my opportunity.”
The evening consisted of a presentation along with a few brief readings, followed by a question period and then a book signing. The Dorval Library, well known for its support of local artists and authors, provided a spacious bistro-style venue perfectly suited for the event, which counted about thirty-five attendees, including the mayor of Dorval, Marc Doret.
As for the Estonian connection, author Gary J. Kirchner is not Estonian, but, being married to Hille Viires, considers himself an honorary citizen of the Baltic nation. His previous published novels include the football trilogy In the Shadow of the Goalposts, which features a head coach of Estonian descent named Arne Viimets.
Throwing the Hammer is available on Amazon, Indigo, Kobo, and other online retailers, as well as in stores in Montréal, such as at Clio Bookstore and Bonder Bookstore. Find out more at garyjkirchner.com
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