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July 25, 2017

Comments

I look so forward to this book. I would love a combination of your words and your drawings.

Absolutely write the book! I love your drawings and hearing your memories...

Yes, write it and use the drawings and paintings. (And I still like the Icelandic project! After that?)

Side thought: I expect a Unitarian minister from the 40's and 50's was probably something rather different from what it is today... portraying that might be suggestive about societal / cultural / church transformations.

To me, what makes such things compelling is not the exotic nature of things and recollections, though those may have their own charm and beauty. Nor would it be compelling because of links to world events--hammering (to use the tool at hand) that home would only work against some of your purposes. At any rate, you would not need to mention the pressure of world events in order to convey everything about them that you needed to convey. The mere existence of a fascinating, truthful, good person--a Syrian immigrant--would convey everything you might want to convey.

For me, it is the character of the person drawn that is compelling, and you have in him some rich materials. "Larger than life" is always a help, as is a character with wide-ranging pursuits.

I would find such a book a delight. Some drawings, paintings, stories such as the one you wrote here and poems - and perhaps a little history also. Something that the readers could grasp historically that would help to place your father in the world that we all experience also.
Your touch is light but deep, Beth. I think that such little book would be sheer delight.

Absolutely I would love and buy this book.
Ann

I would love that book, Beth. Your posts about your father-in-law were all marvellous, it would be great to have them collected in print and even better with your illustrations. Maybe a few photos of him as well?

Oh, that sounds like a wonderful idea, Beth! Maybe it's because I remember and loved some of your stories way back when. And with your lovely illustrations, it sounds perfect.

Oui! C'est un beau projet qui mérite de voir le jour. Je le lirais avec grand plaisir :)

Yes Beth --Do write a book. Your perspective & insights would be a lovely addition to his larger than life persona. And your caring voice, a wonderful insider/outsider observers way of seeing.
In other words please write it!! Xxoo

Yes Beth, please write/draw it. Not only would it be a book of love, which we desperately need at this time of increased prejudice and violence, but it would remind us that the histories of migration that have made us "who we are" are much longer and more diverse than the ones that we have been told by those in positions of power.

Oh yes, please- and with drawings, and maybe photos too. This will be most welcome reading.

One could work out a lot with a bag of those nuts and a hammer!

Please make the book. Your stories of him and the family were always so vivid, poignant and moving. They reside inside me even after all this time. It's a book we need in the US and the world. Thank you for the loveliness.

This is wonderful news -- I so look forward to the book! And I agree with Marly: it will be his character that will be most compelling.

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Who was Cassandra?


  • In the Iliad, she is described as the loveliest of the daughters of Priam (King of Troy), and gifted with prophecy. The god Apollo loved her, but she spurned him. As a punishment, he decreed that no one would ever believe her. So when she told her fellow Trojans that the Greeks were hiding inside the wooden horse...well, you know what happened.

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