Ann S. Epstein writes novels, short stories, memoir, essays, and poems. Please use the links or site menu to go to the HOME PAGE; learn about her NOVELS, SHORT STORIES, MEMOIR, ESSAYS, and POEMS; find interesting facts in BEHIND THE STORY; read REFLECTIONS on writing; check NEWS for updates on publications and related events; see REVIEWS; learn about her END-OF-LIFE DOULA credentials and services; and CONTACT US to send webmail.
On August 25, 1939, 85 years ago today, The Wizard of Oz officially opened nationwide. Reviews were mostly positive, although some critics accused MGM of encroaching on Disney territory. The film pioneered the use of Technicolor and earned praise for its 17-year-old star, Judy Garland. Re-released in 1949, and shown on TV in subsequent years, The Wizard of Oz is today the third-most watched movie ever (after Titanic and E.T.). Read about the making of the movie and its “big” and “little” stars in A Brain. A Heart. The Nerve., a fictional biography of the actor who played the Munchkin Coroner. Learn more about the book in NOVELS.
Skipping down the Yellow Brick Road
A fictional biography of the actor who played the Munchkin Coroner
When the two men met in 1896, Ford was a huge fan of Edison, sixteen years his senior, and only wanted to photograph him. Instead, they became legendary friends. Edison encouraged Ford’s pioneering automotive work. They traveled around the country together and owned vacation houses next to each other. Read The Sister Knot about two resilient women, orphaned in WW2, who defy fate to sustain a lifelong friendship. A compelling novel about the power of sisterhood. Learn more about the book in NOVELS.
Edison and Ford were fellow tinkerers and famous friends
Two resilient women, two separate journeys, one lasting friendship
Counter-culture journalist Thompson and conservative politician Buchanan met during Nixon’s 1972 presidential campaign. Though ideological opposites, the friends valued each other’s honesty and libertarianism. Said Thompson, “Politics is a circle, not just right and left. We’re often pretty close.” Read The Sister Knot about two resilient women, orphaned in WW2, who defy fate to sustain a lifelong friendship. A compelling novel about the power of sisterhood. Learn more about the book in NOVELS.
Buchanan and Thompson were ideological opposites but met as friends in the middle
Two resilient women, two separate journeys, one lasting friendship
The four best friends in The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Bashares support one another through good times and bad, but always mend the rifts between them. Although the girls are different sizes, the title’s magical jeans fit them all, a metaphor for what unites these women in friendship. Read The Sister Knot about two resilient women, orphaned in WW2, who defy fate to sustain a lifelong friendship. A compelling novel about the power of sisterhood. Learn more about the book in NOVELS.
Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants: One shared garment = One Four-Way Friendship
Two resilient women, two separate journeys, one lasting friendship
Houston’s mom, Cissy, sang backup vocals for Franklin and brought Whitney to rehearsals as a child. Whitney looked up to Franklin. Franklin, in turn, encouraged the talented young singer. Franklin and Whitney’s mother remained friends for life. ReadThe Sister Knot about two resilient women, orphaned in WW2, who defy fate to sustain a lifelong friendship. A compelling novel about the power of sisterhood. Learn more about the book in NOVELS.
Singing friends Franklin and Houston: The older generation fostered the younger one’s talent
Two resilient women, two separate journeys, one lasting friendship
Steinbeck’s poodle companion in Travels with Charley: In Search of America connects the author with the people he meets on his cross-country road trip. The dog’s wise “remarks” stand-in for Steinbeck’s own observations. Read The Sister Knot about two resilient women, orphaned in WW2, who defy fate to sustain a lifelong friendship. A compelling novel about the power of sisterhood. Learn more about the book in NOVELS.
Steinbeck and Charley: The author’s canine friend is a wise observer
Two resilient women, two separate journeys, one lasting friendship
My Goodreads and Amazon review of Long Island Compromise by Taffy Brodesser-Akner (Rated 3) – Tone Deaf. Being unfamiliar with Taffy Brodesser-Akner’s previous novel, I was not prepared for the satiric tone of Long Island Compromise. In fact, having read that she’d written this book about a real-life kidnaping to understand the aftermath of a trauma in her own life, I expected the novel to be serious. Once I adjusted my expectations, I tried to get into the spirit of the sharp social commentary that is this author’s strength. Alas, it was a struggle because the tone ill-fit the topic. It reminded me of my discomfort watching sitcoms as a child, waiting for everything to turn out okay. As an adult, I’m fine with any outcome, good or bad, provided I care about the characters. I can’t say I cared about any of the born-to-wealth adult children in Long-Island Compromise. Mocking the victims comes off as cruel, not canny. The bitter ending, devoid of empathy, forecloses the possibility of insight into human nature. Worst, from a literary perspective, the writing is preachy. As a novelist myself (see my Amazon author page and Goodreads author page), I avoid didactic narratives. They neither amuse nor inform. While Brodesser-Akner is occasionally entertaining, her self-indulgent prose fails to engage or enlighten. People who inherit money may not “deserve” their wealth, but neither do they inherently deserve scorn. I wish this talented author had invested her words more wisely.
Misspent words
Why writers read: “There are worse crimes than burning books. One of them is not reading them.” – Joseph Brodsky
Elephant Angel is the title of my novel-in-progress. Hence, I couldn’t resist buying the elephant salt & pepper shakers that I found at an antique mall this weekend. I named them Sheila and Denise. You’ll have to wait until the book comes out to understand why. Read about my books already in print and follow updates about forthcoming ones at NOVELS.
In The Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum, each member of this foursome discovers a truth about themselves and the value of their friendship to conquer seemingly insurmountable odds. Who can forget their arm-in-arm journey down the yellow brick road? Read The Sister Knot about two resilient women, orphaned in WW2, who defy fate to sustain a lifelong friendship. A compelling novel about the power of sisterhood. Learn more about the book in NOVELS.
Oz mates Scarecrow, Tin Man, Dorothy, and Lion on a mission of self-discovery
Two resilient women, two separate journeys, one lasting friendship
The musicians only met a handful of times and had opposite personalities; Lennon was public about his life whereas Dylan was private. Although Lennon was a big fan of Dylan (as were the other Beatles), the interest was almost completely one-sided. Yet, not long after Lennon’s death, Dylan wrote Roll on John. Read The Sister Knot about two resilient women, orphaned in WW2, who defy fate to sustain a lifelong friendship. A compelling novel about the power of sisterhood. Learn more about the book in NOVELS.
Dylan and Lennon: A one-sided friendship but with mutual respect
Two resilient women, two separate journeys, one lasting friendship
