PD staff book recommendations
News from Drexel faculty, alumni, and beyond
Dear Readers,
It’s officially spring! Where I live, that’s meant several weeks of blazing hot summer temperatures, followed by a dramatic departure of the sun, and such a drastic drop in degrees (although alliterations apparently abound), I’m regretting having already stored away my winter duvet. I’ve been tucked inside for the most part, recovering from an allergy attack and enjoying what will probably be the last few days of coziness for a while.
I can’t complain too much, as I’ve been able to pick a long-awaited book out of my TBR pile: The Evolution of Bruno Littlemore by Benjamin Hale. It’s a bildungsroman, the story of a gifted young chimpanzee as he moves out of the proverbial jungle (yes, proverbial, as he was born in Chicago) and into the world of humans, developing the ability to speak and walk upright, and reflects on all he’s gained – and all he’s lost in the process. Written in the first person, it’s one of the most curious and compelling narrative voices I’ve read. It’s a unique, intimate, and at times, uncomfortably honest reflection of humanity, and I know I’ll feel sentimental when my time with Bruno comes to an end.
Whether you’re experiencing heavy rains, lingering snowfall, unusually warm temperatures, intense seasonal allergies, or lovely and perfect spring weather (or autumn, for readers in the southern hemisphere) – we could all use something good to read. I’m happy to call your attention to some upcoming or newly released titles from Drexel MFA faculty and alumni:
The Invisible Ones by Jaime Grookett
In 1928, rural Pennsylvania, the Children's Aid Society separates seventeen-year-old Anna Wilson from her three younger siblings. Anna is hurled into despair when sexually abused by her foster brother. Illiterate, pregnant, and fearing the permanent estrangement from her family, she is committed to an asylum where she must prove her competency before a panel of doctors, who believe in the practice of American eugenics. At stake: the chance at freedom to raise her unborn child and beloved siblings on the farm she calls home.
Devil is Fine by John Vercher
Reeling from the sudden death of his teenage son, our narrator receives a letter from an attorney: he has just inherited a plot of land from his estranged grandfather. He travels to a beach town several hours south of his home with the intention of immediately selling the land. But upon inspection, what lies beneath the dirt is much more than he can process in the throes of grief. As a biracial Black man struggling with the many facets of his identity, he’s now the owner of a former plantation passed down by the men on his white mother’s side of the family.
Cohort Publishing News!
Paul Benkendorfer had his piece, THE BROTHER AND TEACHER OF THE NEURODIVERGENT, published in the spring issue of Encephalon. You can read more about his work on his website and find him on LinkedIn.
A few titles from the world at large…
One Perfect Couple by Ruth Ware
A reality TV game show featuring five couples takes a turn when their island is thrown into a violent storm. Lyla, who entered with her boyfriend, begins to understand the game’s darkest secrets. The island, now isolated from the rest of the world, has a killer on its hands.
Black Shield Maiden by Willow Smith and Jess Hendel
An African warrior, Yafeu, is forced out of her home and sent to a new, unpredictable world. When she meets the princess, Freydis, the two begin to connect and find comfort in one another. Penguin Random House writes that Yafeu becomes the “revolutionary heroine of her own myth.”
A Crane Among Wolves by June Hur
Based on real events in Korean history, King Yeonsan viciously rules over the people of Joseon. Iseul leaves her village and ends up in the thralls of the kingdom’s power when trying to save her older sister from its violence. Prince Daehyun, the king’s disapproving half-brother, has a similar goal that pushes the two characters to work together.
A bit of English and Philosophy Department news…
The Drexel Writing Festival hosted a series of writing workshops for 400 students from various local high schools on April 12 and April 19. The workshops included discussions on writing Fiction, Poetry, and Nonfiction. Drexel’s very own participated in the writing festivities, such as English professors and MFA in Creative Writing students. The event gave students a glimpse of pursuing an English or Writing degree at Drexel. Informing future college students about the vast opportunities that come through writing was a priority for workshop leaders and faculty. Within the next few years, Drexel hopes to see more students showcase their talent and creativity in the Department of English & Philosophy.
And finally, submissions for Volume 7 closed on April 15, and we’ve begun the process of putting together, what we hope, will be our best issue yet.
From my keyboard to yours, I wish you the best of luck and many happy hours of writing.
Best regards,
Eleanor Keisman
Newsletter Director