The language and literature program’s “Writers Read” series continued with a reading by Don Clymer from his book “Coming of Age in Honduras: A Young Adult’s Struggle with Faith, Poverty, and Sexuality.” The event took place in Common Grounds on Saturday, Oct. 16.
Clymer was a natural choice to feature during EMU’s homecoming weekend. Though now retired, he taught Spanish at both Heston College in Kansas and here at EMU. Clymer has also led multiple student groups in Guatemala and Mexico.
Kirsten Beachy, assistant professor of liberal arts and director of the language and literature program, introduced Clymer at the start of the event, but stated, “I doubt he needs to be introduced to many of you here.” This statement elicited chuckles from throughout the audience.
It was easy to see the manifestation of Clymer’s many connections to the EMU community by the way the audience at the Writers Read was filled with his old friends and colleagues.
“Coming of Age in Honduras: A Young Adult’s Struggle with Faith, Poverty, and Sexuality” is a non-fiction memoir in which Clymer recounts stories from his time in Honduras as a Mennonite conscientious objector during the Vietnam War.
While the book is yet to reach a wide audience, the reviews that it has garnered on sites such as Goodreads and Amazon are overwhelmingly positive.
One review on Amazon, from Rosemary Hershberger, says that “Even for persons who have not lived abroad, it [Clymer’s “Coming of Age in Honduras”] offers important and interesting observations and insights written in an engaging, entertaining style with transparency and honesty that at times can surprise. The author’s sojourn in Honduras affected him so profoundly that it became the defining experience of his life.”
Clymer divided his readings into three sections, mirroring the title of the book: faith, poverty, and sexuality, “three things that I struggled mightily with during my time in Honduras,” he later explained.
Before launching into these sections, however, Clymer prefaced his talk by reading a few paragraphs from the forward of his book. In these paragraphs he acknowledged the fallibility and subjectivity of memory, stating that “nonetheless, the memories that I have related are ones that had a profound impact on me and have indelibly shaped my life.” He also stated, “For my Latin American readers, I acknowledge that these memories are from the U.S. American perspective despite how much I was changed from my time alongside you. You have taught me an incredible amount about your history, culture, and your language. Through your patience with me, I gain many new perceptions about the world and my personal life.”
Clymer then read stories from his book, first in relation to poverty, then faith, and finally sexuality. Following these readings was a time for question and answer between the audience and the author. Questions came in from both the in-person audience as well as the audience that was viewing the event through Facebook Live.
How deeply Clymer’s experience in Honduras shaped his life is evident both in his writing and speaking. During the question and answer portion of the event, Clymer said that he wrote this memoir completely from memory. He said, “I think that shows… how much these stories impacted me and have stayed with me forever.”
