Times of Sorrow/Times of Grace:Writing by Women of the Great Plains/High Plains
$20, 347 pages, perfect bound
Edited by Marjorie Saiser, Greg Kosmicki, and Lisa Sandlin
Cover Photo by Randy Barger
Cover design by Judith Brodnicki
Book Design and layout by Judith Brodnicki
Pen and ink drawings inside by Jana Harsch
A collection of poetry, fiction, and memoir by women from all the Great Plains and High Plains states in the US, including Marilyn Krysl, Mary Pipher, Jonis Agee, Hilda Raz, Laurel Speer, Judith Minty, S.L. Wisenberg, Gladys Swan, CarolAnn Russell, Grace Bauer, Judith Sornberger, Patricia Currans-Sheehan, Margorie Saiser, Twyla Hansen, Nancy McCleery, and many more.
Review of Times of Sorrow/Times of Grace by Laurel Johnson, Midwest Book Review
From the visually stunning cover to the black and white wildflower drawings and eye pleasing font, this anthology is a keeper. It is a map of secret journeys to be shared, read and reread.
Greg Kosmicki, Editor and Publisher, says it well: "Times of Sorrow Times of Grace" is a showcase for the talents that grow like wildflowers among the writers of the Great Plains / High Plains who happen to be women."
It is a daunting task, reviewing an anthology of poetry and prose created through the gifts of many female writers. I am a prairie dweller and writer myself. I've experienced first hand the beauties and sorrows, and yet I found myself astounded by the power of their words. Poets and story tellers shared familiar workworn faces from which every dream has fled, the shame of discovering pockets of starvation and neglect amidst plenty. Secrets that poison generations are spoken plainly, along with heart stabbing sorrow that will never be mended. I read of precious shining moments frozen in time, love that could not be battered or shattered into indifference. And there is the sort of beauty one can only find in the plains - sights, scents, and sounds. Huge black prairie skies full of stars remain unchanged through every generation. Weather, people, and everyday life are lamented or extolled in turn. If you want to see what life is truly like in the wide open spaces, you'll get a feel of plains living in this book.
My congratulations to Backwaters Press and Mr. Kosmicki for publishing Times of Sorrow Times of Grace. The content is excellent and well worth reading.
Laurel Johnson
Midwest Book Review
This page last updated: July 28th, 2003
