Contradictions by Jean Pestell

Contradictions

I remember the bomb-sites
but not the buildings,
talk of the enemy,
although I never met one,
blackout curtains,
not the bomb in Hendon that shattered our windows.

I remember our Jewish neighbours, the Beckharts,
not why they’d left Wiesbaden,
hearing Yiddish spoken by local shopkeepers,
never questioning why they were here.
I remember turning on their lights on the Sabbath
but not why they had to pay me to do it.

I remember going to a Catholic school,
even though I was C of E,
nuns leaving for missions in Africa,
yet so few of them were really kind.
I remember buying an African child for half a crown to be ‘saved’
but never felt shame as I put a gold star in my scrapbook

I remember going to school in France later
but not why they blamed me for the war;
they said we’d bombed their port of Brest,
not that the Fuhrer’s ships were sheltering there.

I remember learning about prejudice early
but not how to justify it.

I remember my first ever German friend from Dusseldorf
but not the significance of her mother’s pension from Krupp;
her father was killed by the Allies
but I didn’t understand why he’d fought against us.

I remember my first German boyfriend in Spain,
not why he’d been on of the Hitler Youth,
our shared love of art, literature and philosophy,
not the fiancée he’d already had in Hamburg.
I remember breaking up with another boyfriend,
yet will never forget that gin doesn’t make misery disappear.

I remember learning about life’s contradictions early
and not to forget to remember that.

Copyright jean pestell April 2010

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

This long title goes with a relatively light book, perfect for a trip to England. It is about a writer who must write about this particular Literary Society which was formed in the Second World War on Guernsey Island when it was taken over by the Germans. What I loved about this book was how it delicately moved along, not kicking you in the teeth, not shoving violence down your throat, but just telling the story in letters with many different people, all with his or her version of life at that time. Of course, there is a love story or two and we are introduced to many books the members of the society read along the way.

It is published by Dial Press. It is written by Mary Ann Shaffer and her daughter Annie Barrows. Mary Ann had written most of it but then her health began to fail, and Annie took it over and finished it. I recommend it to anybody interested in a glimpse into WWII, on a very human scale.

Volcano Ash and the London Book Fair

I am back from England after nine days. I went to the London Book Fair one day and enjoyed it thoroughly. However, because so many flights were cancelled in and out of Heathrow for six days, there were quite a few displays that were blank. Also, people mentioned that it felt very sparsely attended. Many people were trying to get back from Europe by train, car and rail and boats. In a word, life as we know it was on hold. I went to three seminars: ipad (get one); survival of independent bookstores (have happenings); and who is reading on ipads vs. Kindle, etc. A LOT of people. Sales are very high of ipads compared to similar sales on Kindle in the past year. I particularly loved the creative energy of the bookstore speakers. Once I find my notes, and unpack, I will try to tell you who and where they are. It is amazing what can be done. Certainly, Mrs. Dalloway's in Berkeley has similar happenings and have a strong following. Gardening books are a specialty.

Memoir or Novel? Which one is the more important?

I have been thinking about fiction and non-fiction. I have no idea where my characters come from in my novels, but I am passionate about them and their lives, so I would guess they come from some very deep place right inside me. Okay, maybe they do. I hate to admit that! Are they still fiction? I think so. Meanwhile, my memoir sits there wondering if only my relatives should read it, or maybe, should not!

I think about this a lot while doing other things. Truth or fiction, or a bit of both. What is really happening, I would guess, is a new book, which will be both fiction and non-fiction. Is that a memoir anyway? The creative process at work!

I am packed and ready for London, so am not too sure if this blog will have to wait until my return. We shall see. I am so looking forward to the London Book Fair.

London Book Fair: I bought my ticket!

The ticket was cheaper than I thought. Must be the new exchange rate. I will report on my tour when I return later in April. It is a huge event, and I don't plan more than three hours there, so I have to zero in on the people who might represent Cellini's Revenge next time. The sequel, too. I am excited!

The London Book Fair - should I go?

I will be in London briefly the week of the London Book Fair. It is in Earl's Court, not too far for me. If I buy my ticket online it will be a lot cheaper. I think I will buy the ticket and see if I can get there with all the wonderful people I want to see as well. Squeeze it in. I would love to go to Rottingdean, too. That might have to wait until next time. (That is where part of my novel, Cellini's Revenge, takes place).
http://www.londonbookfair.co.uk/
wendy@wendybartlett.com
Cheapest ebook of Cellini's Revenge: iUniverse.com

Manuscripts in Progress: Joyce Scott

Joyce Scott, sister of the world-reknowned Outsider sculptor, Judith Scott, gave a reading from her manuscript, EnTwined, yesterday at a wonderful house of a friend in Kensington, California. It was attended by about fifty people.

EnTwined is the story of her life with her twin sister, Judy, who was born with Down Syndrome, and Judy's rise to fame later in life when she came to live in California and attended the Oakland art school called Creative Growth. Judy's large and colorful fiber sculptures have traveled the globe in exhibitions from Tokyo to Switzerland.

It is with great anticipation that we await the publication of this new book which Joyce has been writing for many years. The reading was touching, and had all of us on the verge of tears.

Manuscripts in progress: Marvin Spector

Marvin Spector has been writing his novel, Die High, for about ten years now; a long, terrific, fictionalized account of his journeys around the world back on the Hippie Trail.

"When a person feels so good that s/he says if I die now it would be ok, then s/he is willing to die high," writes Marvin. I know personally that Marvin has worked exceedingly hard on this amazing journey: a piece of history from an amazing era.

Marvin Spector is also a well-polished poet and has read his wonderful poems in the Bay Area for many years.

He is not willing to search for an agent until his work is done. I hear that it is almost finished. He has worked very hard with Bay Area Beat poet and writing teacher, Clive Matson, (http://www.matsonpoet.com/cmpoetry.shtml) for five years, writing and polishing. It is beautifully written, as a poet might do.