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.
Father John’s Cough Syrup, which had been used to treat colds since 1855, claimed to be effective against the 1918 Spanish flu. Its non-alcoholic cod liver oil base containing glycerin, sugar, gum arabic, licorice, and flavoring oils was promoted as a “nutritive tonic to combat diseases of the throat.” It didn’t help, but at least it didn’t harm. Read more about the deadly Spanish flu pandemic a century ago in On the Shore (1917-1925), a tale of conflict between generations in a Lower East Side immigrant family (see NOVELS).
A “nutritive tonic” to treat the 1918 Spanish fluGenerations of immigrant family in conflict
A dangerous quack remedy during the 1918 Spanish flu outbreak was to “inhale smoke from sulfur and brown sugar heated over hot coals.” Read more about the deadly Spanish flu pandemic a century ago in On the Shore (1917-1925), a tale of conflict between generations in a Lower East Side immigrant family (see NOVELS).
Inhaling hot sulfur fumes so-called remedy for Spanish fluGenerations of immigrant family in conflict
My Amazon and Goodreads review of Nobody Will Tell You This But Me: A true (as told to me) story by Bess Kalb (Rating 5) – Affectionate and Affecting.Nobody Will Tell You This But Me: A true (as told to me) story by Bess Kalb celebrates the relationship between four generations of women in a Jewish family, beginning when the great-grandmother arrives alone in America as a twelve-year-old, fleeing Russian pogroms. Although all the generations are represented, the book focuses on the bond between the assertive, wise-cracking grandmother Bobby and the worshipful granddaughter Bessie, who wrote this affectionate and affecting memoir. A writer myself (see my Amazon author page and Goodreads author page), I admired Kalb’s uncanny ear for her grandmother’s distinctive voice as she introduces readers to a loving, if flawed character. Bobby simultaneously encourages and dictates, praises and shames, domineers and (less often) caves. I might have wished for a more probing portrait, one that examined Bobby’s shortcomings, especially as a mother, but that wouldn’t have been as much fun. Nor, since the premise is that Kalb is channeling Bobby from the grave, and Bobby is not a self-critical person, would that be plausible. In troubled times, a memoir that is pure love is a welcome respite and a delightful read.
An affectionate and affecting memoirWhy writers read: “Don’t sleep with people who don’t read!” – John Waters
During the 1918 Spanish flu outbreak, doctors were baffled about what to advise their patients. In Australia, one physician recommended “a milk diet” while another said to “take a weak vinegar sponge bath twice a day and place ice in the mouth.” Read more about the deadly Spanish flu pandemic a century ago in On the Shore (1917-1925), a tale of conflict between generations in a Lower East Side immigrant family (see NOVELS).
No clue how to treat Spanish flu a century agoGenerations of immigrant family in conflict
In Harrisburg, PA restaurants were allowed to stay open during the 1918 Spanish flu outbreak, but were not permitted to offer single servings of ice cream or pie because they encouraged people to congregate. Customers could order dessert only if they also ate a full meal, at a table, and dined alone. Read more about the deadly Spanish flu pandemic a century ago in On the Shore (1917-1925), a tale of conflict between generations in a Lower East Side immigrant family (see NOVELS).
No single-serve ice cream or pie during Spanish flu pandemic a century agoGenerations of immigrant family in conflict
During the 1918 Spanish flu outbreak, people were advised to wash the inside of their noses twice a day and “force yourself to sneeze, night and morning, then breathe deeply.” Read more about the deadly Spanish flu pandemic a century ago in On the Shore (1917-1925), a tale of conflict between generations in a Lower East Side immigrant family (see NOVELS).
Sneezing recommended during Spanish flu pandemic a century agoGenerations of immigrant family in conflict
Fear resulting from a pandemic can disrupt social conventions. During the 1918 Spanish flu outbreak, people were shot for not wearing masks and the bereaved stole coffins to bury their dead. Read more about the deadly Spanish flu pandemic a century ago in On the Shore (1917-1925), a tale of conflict between generations in a Lower East Side immigrant family (see NOVELS).
Spanish flu pandemic a century agoGenerations of immigrant family in conflict
During the 1918 Spanish flu outbreak, cities and states hit hard mandated that residents wear six-ply gauze masks. One medical expert said they were too thin and porous to restrain tiny microbes. “It was like trying to keep out dust with chicken wire.” Read more about the deadly Spanish flu pandemic a century ago in On the Shore (1917-1925), a tale of conflict between generations in a Lower East Side immigrant family (see NOVELS).
Porous masks worn during Spanish flu pandemic a century agoGenerations of immigrant family in conflict
Among the many quack treatments recommended during the 1918 Spanish flu outbreak was wearing camphor balls in a sack around the neck so the fumes would keep away germs. If nothing else, the smell helped the wearer maintain social distance. Read more about the deadly Spanish flu pandemic a century ago in On the Shore (1917-1925), a tale of conflict between generations in a Lower East Side immigrant family (see NOVELS).
“Prevention” for Spanish flu pandemic a century agoGenerations of immigrant family in conflict
My Amazon and Goodreads review of Deacon King Kong: A Novel by James McBride (Rating 3) – More Show Off Than Show. Writers like myself (see my Amazon author page and Goodreads author page) are familiar with the advice “Show, Don’t Tell.” I wish the editor of Deacon King Kong by James McBride had give the author the advice “Show, Don’t Show Off.” At first his over-the-top riffs on the marginal people and politics in Brooklyn’s fictitious Cause Houses are mildly entertaining, but I soon skimmed past them to get back to the story. When McBride does return to the intersecting lives of his diverse characters — black, Italian, Irish, and Puerto Rican — the book picks up energy. The title character is actually the least interesting, and the criminal shenanigans are too convoluted to follow, but the emotional and spiritual turns in people’s lives are moving. I understand that many of the details in Deacon King Kong are based on McBride’s own life growing up in Brooklyn’s Projects. Having read his wonderful memoir The Color of Water, I wish he’d chosen memoir instead of fiction for this book too.
An author sacrifices showing for showing offWhy writers read: “Writing is a difficult trade which must be learned slowly by reading.” – André Maurois
