AUGUSTA – The recent Boston Marathon bombings are sure to prompt similar conflict and confusion, according to Amy Waldman, whose novel “The Submission” explores the varying perceptions of American Muslims following the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

“I wrote the novel in an effort to explore the aftermath of 9/11, and the Boston bombings are a part of that,” Waldman said in a recent interview. Her book is the focus of this year’s Capital Read group reading and discussion series.

“We are still living in and fear about what, or whom, we are in conflict with,” she said. “And with each of these attacks or attempted attacks, American Muslims brace themselves, because they know they may be accused or judged — at best implicitly, sometimes worse — along with the perpetrators.”

Waldman will discuss her book Tuesday in both a group book discussion at 1:30 p.m. at Lithgow Public Library and an author’s presentation at 7 p.m. in Jewett Hall at the University of Maine at Augusta.

The book is about the public and political reaction that follows a jury’s choice of a memorial for the victims of a devastating terrorist attack in Manhattan, and then the revelation that the memorial’s anonymous designer is an American Muslim.

Lithgow Public Library Director Elizabeth Pohl said the book already deals with a provocative subject, but the recent attacks in Boston make it more timely. Authorities have identified the brothers suspected in the recent bombings as Muslims.

Waldman is a Brooklyn, N.Y., resident and former New York Times reporter who covered the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. She said her book has sparked “heated discussions” and aroused “strong emotions.”

Sponsored by the Lithgow Library, the events are free and open to the public. 

Keith Edwards can be contacted at 621-5647 or at:

kedwards@centralmaine.com