Earth As It Is (Book) - 11/10/2017 7:28:50 AM
There are books - both fiction and non-fiction - that one may read, ponder and remember for a time, eventually to be shuffled aside by concepts, thought, and ideas encountered and extracted from materials one may subsequently read. “Earth As It Is,” by Jan Mahr, at least for me, is not that kind of story.
I was left speechless, with many thoughts swirling, wanting to learn and know more about the lives of the people of Heaven, IN. The main characters became so real, I feel that I know them and do not want to lose touch. I’m certain I will never forget Charlene/Charlie.
This is a multi-level, multi-faceted novel spanning the 1930's - 1960's, yet speaking eloquently to issues of today. The story explores who we are inside as individuals... the self that resides beyond the surface. I believe “Earth As It Is” would be excellent extracurricular (or curricular, for that matter) reading and discussion material for anyone interested in gender studies. However, I also highly recommend the title for anyone with interest in the complexity and variety of the human condition.
It's one book I will never forget, and though I am not of the habit of reading anything twice. This novel, I probably will.
Heaven, Indiana (Book) - 11/4/2002 1:06:20 PM
It's hard to evaluate with just the snippet included on this page. Perhaps if you had an entire chapter?
Turn, Turn, Turn (Short Story) - 1/18/2017 6:11:22 AM
What a poignant write! That's one of my all-time favorite songs. The lyrics have so much meaning. And, you have portrayed dementia so well as if you have lived it. Brilliantly written.
My partner and caregiver for 25 years is exhausted, and I'm still young and "sound of mind." I have two other helpers, but she is my mainstay. I can't imagine what it would be like for her if I had dementia. She relies on me as much as I rely on her.
My mother is 92 and sharp as a tack. But four years ago she had to give up driving and then her small apartment to find a sunset place for her last years. She is still sharp after some mini strokes left her with aphasia. And, for a woman who could hear me misspeak from 100 yards away, she now is nearly totally deaf. So, her perfectly ordered retired world is now upset and she's had a hard time adjusting. Still, she calls me (her choice) every Monday at 4 PM and giggles as we talk on her TTY.
Ron
Turn, Turn, Turn (Short Story) - 1/18/2017 2:57:46 AM
A well-written story from Robert Edward Thompson's foggy perspective of demise. You captured every nuance.
