Inspiration for the "The Sun Singer"
The book's sun singer imagery stems from a childhood visit to Robert Allerton Park in Montincello, Illinois, with my grandparents where I saw the primitive man, fu dog, last centaur and sun singer statuary on a sunny afternoon and stormy evening as described in the book.
Created in bronze by sculptor Carle Milles in 1931, the Sun Singer stands alone facing east in a 140-acre meadow in the park. The statue has recently been fully restored to its original glory.
Malcolm R. Campbell
(Sitting in front of a fake barn door pretending to read his novel while holding his reading glasses.)
Photo by Sandi Richardson