Bring two authors together for a talk at a library and the last thing anyone expects is a duel of wits about candy. But that's what happened last night at the kick off of Adventures in Reading at the Harry Bennett library branch.
Rosemary Harris, a writer of mysteries who lives in Stamford, and Katharine Weber, a historical novelist from Bethany, engaged in the sweet contest. It was a friendly feud. And it was definitely a draw.
When Harris mentioned Milk Duds, Weber was quick to challenge. "Do you know why they are called Milk Duds?" she asked. Harris did indeed. The manufacturer intended to make spherical candy, but they came out misshapen because of the caramel filling, leading them to be called duds. "We may be the only two people who know that," Harris said.
Weber's fifth novel, "True Confections," is based on the history of candy-making in the United States (it's not all sweet; the setting allows Weber to explore the racism and child slavery that have marred the relief industry. So, handicappers might have given her the edge based on research.)
But Harris, whose third mystery, "Dead Head," continues her series set in a town loosely based on Stamford, was armed and ready on the candy front. She has been a visitor to Old Time Candy and has used a candy reference in at least one of her novels.
Weber, of course, has the edge in confection connections. She has even been profiled in a trade magazine. "I'm probably the only person you'll meet who was profiled in Candy Industry monthly magazine," she said.
With all the candy banter, one might think Harris and Weber were keen on lots of research for their books. But they agreed that while it's important for an author to know her subject, too much research can be a bad thing.
Weber, who has taught writing at several colleges including Connecticut College, Yale and Columbia, said she tells her students, "Do as little research as you can...if it doesn't serve the novel it shouldn't be in the novel."
There will be two other events as part of the Adventures in Reading program. On June 29, Westhill High graduate Dominique Browning will appear. She's the former editor of House & Garden magazine who wrote "Slow Love: How I Lost My Job, Put On My Pajamas & Found Happiness" about losing her job.
On July 29, you can see Max Grinnell, an urbanologist who wrote "24 Walks in Chicago," and Eric Jaffe, who wrote "The King's Best Highway," a history of the Boston Post Road.
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