Karl Marlantes to Discuss His Novels at Coaster Theatre Saturday

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North Coast native and popular author Karl Marlantes will discuss his novels, “Deep River” and “Matterhorn” during a presentation sponsored by the Cannon Beach Library.
The in-person presentation will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 7, in the Coaster Theatre Playhouse, 108 N. Hemlock St. Admission is free. Proof of Covid vaccination is required. Masks are optional.
Born in Astoria, Marlantes grew up in Seaside and attended Seaside High School, where he was student body president. Marlantes also attended Yale University. He was awarded a Rhodes Scholarship at Oxford University and earned a master’s degree.
His first book, “Matterhorn: A Novel of the Vietnam War,” written in 2010, was called by the New York Times “one of the most profound and devastating novels ever to come out of Vietnam– or any war.”
It is based on Marlantes’ combat experience as an infantry officer with the 1st Battalion of the U.S. Marines from 1968 to 1969. He was awarded the Navy Cross for leading an assault on a hilltop bunker complex, which is at the core of “Matterhorn.”
Marlantes also received a Bronze Star, two Navy commendation medals for valor, two Purple Hearts and 10 Air Medals.
His second book, a memoir published in 2011, was “What It Is Like to Go to War.” It is about his return as a civilian and life as a Vietnam War veteran.
In 2019, Marlantes turned in a different direction with his novel, “Deep River,” about the logging industry, canneries and labor organizations on the Columbia River in Oregon and Washington in the early 20th century.
The book follows a Finnish family that leaves Finland and makes its way to Astoria and Southwest Washington, much like Marlantes’ grandparents did when they left their homelands.
Marlantes’ presentation is sponsored by the NW Authors Series, which welcomes authors monthly from September to May and offers the Writers Read Celebration for local writers.