Robert Haft and Dani Levinas share a moment during cocktails before the annual PEN/Faulkner dinner at the Folger Shakespeare Library. Photograph by James R. Brantley.
An intimate moment between artist Lou Stovall and author Vaddey Ratner at the annual PEN/Faulkner dinner. Ratner, a Cambodian refugee, was one of the ten writers chosen to speak about “resilience.” Photograph by James R. Brantley.
Devoted patron of the arts and literature Vermont senator Patrick Leahy says hello to the evening’s host, writer Calvin Trillin. Photograph by James R. Brantley.
Bill Paley Jr., now a cigar manufacturer (after several other careers), listens to the Washington Ballet’s Septime Weber while Giant heir and arts patron Robert Lehrman stands by. Photograph by James R. Brantley.
Conrad Cafritz makes a point to Shalom Baranes. Photograph by James R. Brantley.
In the Folger Shakespeare Theater the audience waits for the readings to begin at the annual PEN/Faulkner dinner. In the foreground is Mississippi senator Thad Cochran, one of the co-chairs of the evening, along with Vermont senator Patrick Leahy, Mary Haft, and Susan Richards Shreve. Photograph by James R. Brantley.
Mary Haft served as one of the co-chairs of the PEN/Faulkner dinner and is a devoted supporter of the event. But throughout the evening her attention was focused on Marine lieutenant Michael Haft, her son. Photograph by James R. Brantley.
The authors who did readings about “resilience” at the 24th annual PEN/Faulkner dinner and gala, and the evening’s host, Calvin Trillin. Standing: Chris Bohjalian, Elissa Schappell, Ben Fountain, Major Jackson, Louis Bayard, Trillin, and Luis Alberto Urrea. Seated: Hilma Wolitzer, Susan Richards Shreve, Vaddey Ratner, and Carol Anshaw. Photograph by James R. Brantley.
The view inside the Folger library, with its two stories of books. The dinner featured timbale of tomatoes, fennel, avocado, and mâche; and pomegranate chicken with summer squash, roasted Brussels sprouts, glazed carrots, red pearl onions, and corn custard. Dessert was banana sticky pudding. Photograph by James R. Brantley.
The napkin holders at the dinner featured the covers of the books written by the featured authors. Here, Marguerite Thompson and Christopher Griffin give them a closer look. Photograph by James R. Brantley.
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