Tomorrow marks a bittersweet release date for me. Tomorrow, The Dybbuk's Revenge will be available from Prizm Books. Tomorrow is sweet for me because everyone will finally be able to read the conclusion of the Hadariah Chronicles trilogy. Many years of research, planning, writing, and editing will be over. And that is also why there is a touch of bitter. I have said before that it is hard to say goodbye to these characters. This series has been a true labour of love for me, and this project has been immensely personal. If any of my characters are in any way, shape, or form like I am, I would have to say that Carrie is probably the closest. Her relationship with her friends definitely reflects mine with those friends that I have cherished, in some cases, since we were two years old. These friendships have formed the cornerstone of these novels, and I have made no secret that a big reason why I wrote these books was to show how friendships are important. This is also why this particular book is dedicated to those friends of mine. And so, I wrote this blog, and gave you guys a very personal, and emotional pic spam...
Now, if I had to sum up this series of books and what they are truly about, I would say that these books are about growing up, and leaving one's childhood behind. They are about a loss of innocence, and about how just because one reaches adulthood, that does not mean that one has all the answers, or even a direction in mind. I still joke about how I have no idea as to what I want to be when I grow up. (Although, maybe it's not so much a joke at this point.) These books are also about loss and grieving, no more so that this last one. The first book dealt with Adom, the second looked at the loss of friendship, and childhood, and the last... well, spoilers. But let's say that I explore this more in depth.
So, what does all of this have to do with Charlottetown? I have had this post bouncing around in my head for a while now. This summer, I went to Charlottetown with my husband to see their theatre festival. For me, this was a bit of an emotional reunion with Prince Edward Island. I last went there the summer after my bubbie died. My parents drove there with me and my siblings, stopping at various places along the way. I loved seeing Halifax, Yarmouth, and the other small towns along the way. Yet for me, I was the most excited about seeing the birth place of Anne Shirley. Anne of Green Gables was the first book that made me cry. Anne's relationship with Matthew Cuthbert, and his loving acceptance of her wild imagination, and how they were completely devoted to one another was very close to what my relationship had been with my bubbie. She was the one who taught me the folk tales that made up the magical world of Hadariah. She inspired me to write and to keep going with my art.
When I first went to Prince Edward Island, my mom was still in the first year of grieving. According to Jewish law, during this time, if one is grieving a parent, it is tradition to not see theatre, or go to a concert. So, before our trip, the only ones who had bought tickets to go see Anne of Green Gables: the musical were my dad, myself, and my siblings. The day of the show, we asked my mom to come with us. We didn't feel right leaving her out. She said that is there was a ticket available, she would go. At the box office, we were told that there was one ticket left. It was in our row, right beside us. We sat in that show together, and like my first time reading it, I cried.
This year, I took my husband to the show. I laughed, and I cried. The island was just as magical as I remembered it being. I took him to all the sights I remembered from fourteen years before. Seeing it alongside someone who had never been before was a whole new experience. And I can't wait until we're able to go back again, this time with our children in tow.
What does all of this have to do with The Dybbuk's Revenge? Well, when it came time to end the book, I couldn't think of a better place than in Prince Edward Island. Without spoiling things, for me it is a place of beauty, of catharsis, and of healing. I promise you that all of this will make perfect sense when you read the book. Think of friendship, think of family, think of love, and all the "kindred spirits" that we are blessed with in our lives. I know that that is who I wrote these books for in the first place. They taught me that you don't have to talk to one another every day to stay true friends, but when you do, it's like nothing has changed. I know that I can count on them, and they can count on me. I thank them for that.
Now, if I had to sum up this series of books and what they are truly about, I would say that these books are about growing up, and leaving one's childhood behind. They are about a loss of innocence, and about how just because one reaches adulthood, that does not mean that one has all the answers, or even a direction in mind. I still joke about how I have no idea as to what I want to be when I grow up. (Although, maybe it's not so much a joke at this point.) These books are also about loss and grieving, no more so that this last one. The first book dealt with Adom, the second looked at the loss of friendship, and childhood, and the last... well, spoilers. But let's say that I explore this more in depth.
So, what does all of this have to do with Charlottetown? I have had this post bouncing around in my head for a while now. This summer, I went to Charlottetown with my husband to see their theatre festival. For me, this was a bit of an emotional reunion with Prince Edward Island. I last went there the summer after my bubbie died. My parents drove there with me and my siblings, stopping at various places along the way. I loved seeing Halifax, Yarmouth, and the other small towns along the way. Yet for me, I was the most excited about seeing the birth place of Anne Shirley. Anne of Green Gables was the first book that made me cry. Anne's relationship with Matthew Cuthbert, and his loving acceptance of her wild imagination, and how they were completely devoted to one another was very close to what my relationship had been with my bubbie. She was the one who taught me the folk tales that made up the magical world of Hadariah. She inspired me to write and to keep going with my art.
When I first went to Prince Edward Island, my mom was still in the first year of grieving. According to Jewish law, during this time, if one is grieving a parent, it is tradition to not see theatre, or go to a concert. So, before our trip, the only ones who had bought tickets to go see Anne of Green Gables: the musical were my dad, myself, and my siblings. The day of the show, we asked my mom to come with us. We didn't feel right leaving her out. She said that is there was a ticket available, she would go. At the box office, we were told that there was one ticket left. It was in our row, right beside us. We sat in that show together, and like my first time reading it, I cried.
This year, I took my husband to the show. I laughed, and I cried. The island was just as magical as I remembered it being. I took him to all the sights I remembered from fourteen years before. Seeing it alongside someone who had never been before was a whole new experience. And I can't wait until we're able to go back again, this time with our children in tow.
What does all of this have to do with The Dybbuk's Revenge? Well, when it came time to end the book, I couldn't think of a better place than in Prince Edward Island. Without spoiling things, for me it is a place of beauty, of catharsis, and of healing. I promise you that all of this will make perfect sense when you read the book. Think of friendship, think of family, think of love, and all the "kindred spirits" that we are blessed with in our lives. I know that that is who I wrote these books for in the first place. They taught me that you don't have to talk to one another every day to stay true friends, but when you do, it's like nothing has changed. I know that I can count on them, and they can count on me. I thank them for that.
Brian and I in front of the Confederation Centre of the Arts
Anne's Haunted Woods by Green Gables
Brian and I in front of Green Gables. This is where L.M. Montgomery grew up and inspired her writing.
A tree in Lover's Lane inscribed with real life lovers' names
Close up of Green Gables
The red sand beaches of PEI
Can't go to PEI without having some COW's ice cream! FYI, caramel apple crisp ice cream is awesome!
Marilyn and I at 16!
Marilyn and I at my wedding.
30 years of friendship!
Julia and I in London. I was 17. Oy. Leopard print top. (Late '90's fashion...)
An and I in London. Julia, she, and I all met there.
An and I en route to Julia's wedding as two of her bridesmaids!
My bubbie. My inspiration for all of this. Thank you.
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