L'œuvre d'Alice Mattison explore les complexités des relations humaines et la quête de sens dans la vie quotidienne. Sa prose est incisive et empathique, explorant fréquemment les profondeurs de la psyché de ses personnages. À travers ses récits, elle vise à dévoiler les motivations cachées et les paysages émotionnels de ses protagonistes. L'écriture de Mattison offre aux lecteurs des aperçus profonds de l'expérience humaine.
The collection weaves together interconnected stories centered around Denny Ring, an enigmatic young man. Key characters include John Corey, a contractor; his brothers Eugene, a soup kitchen volunteer, and Cameron, an obnoxious law lawyer. John’s assistant Tom harbors feelings for his former English teacher, Ida Feldman, while social worker Charlotte LoPresti interviews the Corey family and is friends with Pam Shepherd, who oversees a psychiatric home being renovated. The narratives explore themes of connection and the complexities of relationships.
Set against the backdrop of the Great Depression in 1936, two lifelong friends, Artie Saltzman and Harold Abramovitz, find their lives altered during a fateful day at an Adirondack lake. Their carefree moment is interrupted by the arrival of two women, sparking a mix of uncertainty about their futures, including their careers and relationships, while the world around them faces growing turmoil. This pivotal experience in the mountains marks a turning point for both men as they navigate the complexities of adulthood and societal changes.
Exploring the lives of a Jewish immigrant family across the twentieth century, the narrative delves into the complexities of their descendants amid significant historical events like political assassinations, the Vietnam War, and the AIDS crisis. The journey begins with Bobbie Kaplowitz, a single mother in 1954 Brooklyn, whose life takes a turn due to a broken kitchen appliance and an affair with a married man. Mattison's storytelling prowess and ability to create rich, multidimensional characters shine throughout this emotionally charged saga.
Set against the backdrop of the Vietnam War protests in Brooklyn, the narrative follows three girls whose lives diverge dramatically into adulthood. Helen becomes a revolutionary, Val pens a controversial novel about Helen, while Olive finds stability as an editor and writer. Olive's task to write an essay about Val's book unravels complex memories and relationships with her husband, Griff. Award-winning author Alice Mattison intricately explores the interplay of personal and political choices, revealing how women impact the world around them.
Daisy Andalusia, now in her fifties and happily remarried, thrives on her independence while managing a successful organizing business. Her life takes an intriguing turn when she becomes involved in a Yale project examining murders in small cities, despite her husband's disapproval. As she delves deeper into the investigation, she finds herself increasingly attracted to its director, Gordon Skeetling, complicating her life and challenging her commitments. The story explores themes of independence, love, and the complexities of relationships.
Frances, an only child in 1950s Brooklyn, starts to uncover the complexities of her family's history as anti-Communist sentiments threaten her father's teaching job. Her seemingly close mother, Hilda, and aunt Pearl harbor secrets that prompt Frances to question her identity and family dynamics. Intriguing mysteries arise, including references to a "first pregnancy" and hidden baby shoes, revealing underlying tensions during Pearl's visits. As Frances learns more, she confronts the shadows of the past that shape her family's present.
Exploring themes of love, friendship, and the lasting impact of the past, this work by acclaimed author Alice Mattison offers a heartfelt narrative that resonates deeply. With a unique voice that sets her apart in contemporary literature, the story unfolds as a poignant reflection on the connections that shape our lives and the memories that linger. Readers are invited into a rich emotional landscape, making it a compelling read for those interested in the complexities of human relationships.
The story explores the deep friendship between two young mothers, Toby and Deborah, sparked by a shared interest in a memoir about a historic trolley strike. Their bond withstands the challenges of life, including marriage and parenting, while they engage in passionate discussions on various topics. However, a significant disagreement drives them apart. Ultimately, a long-forgotten book becomes the catalyst for their reunion, highlighting themes of friendship, conflict, and reconciliation amidst life's complexities.
A targeted and insightful guide to the stages of writing fiction and memoir without falling into common traps, while wisely navigating the writing life, from an award-winning author and longtime teacher “A book-length master class.” —The Atlantic Writing well does not result from following rules and instructions, but from a blend of spontaneity, judgment, and a wise attitude toward the work—neither despairing nor defensive, but clear-eyed, courageous, and discerning. Writers must learn to tolerate the early stages, the dreamlike and irrational states of mind, and then to move from jottings and ideas to a messy first draft, and onward into the work of revision. Understanding these stages is key. The Kite and the String urges writers to let playfulness and spontaneity breathe life into the work—letting the kite move with the winds of feeling—while still holding on to the string that will keep it from flying away. Alice Mattison attends also to the difficulties of protecting writing time, preserving solitude, finding trusted readers, and setting the right goals for publication. The only writing guide that takes up both the stages of creative work and developing effective attitudes while progressing through them, plus strategies for learning more about the craft, The Kite and the String responds to a pressing need for writing guidance at all levels.
