The annual revelry of the running of the bulls dates back to the 14th century and mozos is the term given to the masters who face being gored or even killed in their attempt to run with the bulls in Pamplona, Spain. This is a fitting title for a gritty personal memoir by author Bill Hillmann. Mozos: A Decade Running with the Bulls of Spain, is a fast-paced tale of Hillmann’s own coming-of-age as well as his fascination with the ancient art of running with the bulls. When he was just 23 years old, Hillmann traveled to Spain to take part in the weeklong San Fermin festival of the running of the bulls, and he instantly fell in love with the skill and artistry of this time-honored, daredevil tradition.
Inspired by Ernest Hemingway’s The Sun Also Rises, Hillmann recounts his personal journey of self-discovery as well as his progress as a writer in a straightforward, conversational tone. Told in dramatic narratives that have been gleamed from over a decade of running with the bulls, this sprawling memoir takes readers from the dark streets of Chicago to the roadways of Pamplona in a thrilling and, at times, terrifying account of personal growth and transformation.
Hillmann is the award-winning author of The Old Neighborhood, declared “Best Novel of 2014” by the Chicago Sun-Times. Hillmann has written for numerous publications, including Playboy and The Washington Post. His commentary on running with the bulls has been featured in Esquire and Outside Magazine. Hillmann also stars in Chasing Red, a new documentary about his experiences. Hillmann will appear at Boswell Book Co. at 5:30 p.m., Monday, July 27 for a book discussion and signing followed by a 7 p.m. ticketed screening of Chasing Red at the Landmark Oriental Theatre (2230 N. Farwell Ave.).
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Book Happening:
Elizabeth Ridley
Martha Merrell’s Books
231 W. Main St., Waukesha
6:30 p.m., July 23
Declared by The Advocate as one of their “15 Best LGBT Summer Reads,” Searching for Celia is a thrilling mystery that questions how well we can ever know another person. Author Elizabeth Ridley, a Milwaukee native, has written a captivating novel that explores the complexities of our personal relationships through her portrayal of Dayle, a 30-something novelist from Wisconsin who travels to London for business only to learn that her friend and former partner has died under mysterious circumstances. As Dayle undertakes a search for the truth, she comes up against dramatic personalities and unforeseen obstacles. Ridley, the 2011 recipient of a Literary Artist Fellowship from the Wisconsin Arts Board, will host a book launch event at Martha Merrell’s Books in Waukesha, 6:30 p.m., Thursday, July 23.
