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Sharon Berg A life in words ... |
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The Journey from Bedlam is a project that has been ‘in progress’, in one form or another, for more than 30 years. It still, unfortunately, remains in manuscript form.
I began to explore parts of the subject matter from this collection through story in 1976. In fact, I had created the first five chapters of a novel by the time I attended the Writing Studio at the Banff School of Fine Arts in 1987. One of the senior editors at a well-respected publishing house (which unfortunately does not exist any longer) told me to call him when I completed the novel. But the work kept calling for other treatments, and even then, the individual poems in this manuscript have been revamped countless times.
I believe this manuscript offers my most consistent and accomplished pieces, both in terms of style and in poetic voice. Certainly, I’ve received far more praise for this work at my readings than I have for anything from my first two collections. It is not unusual for someone in the audience to come forward, grasp my hand in theirs and say ‘Thank you. You just said what I could not say for myself.’
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Established January 3, 2006 |
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On the other hand, it is a difficult book, the subject it deals still wrapped in taboo… not because such things have not been discussed before, but because in this case the children are objectified by both parents. In North America, we still carry the model of family created by ‘Leave it to Beaver’ and ‘The Waltons’ as the ideal that other families are measured against. Some readers asked, ‘Is this true? Did this happen?’ followed by, ‘If it did, how did you get through it?’ So, I can appreciate the reaction of many press editors. It is not an easy read... but unlike many others in its category this confessional explores the family dynamic and provides a light at the end of the tunnel… not only by celebrating survival, but by suggesting a fresh way of framing our relationships, including family bonds. The Journey from Bedlam is now on its rounds, seeking publication.
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