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, 86 years ago today, The Wizard of Oz officially opened in movie theaters 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 bio of the actor who played the Munchkin Coroner
My Goodreads and Amazon reviews of The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray (Rated 5) – Secrets Threaten Success.The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray is the fictionalized story of the real Belle da Costa Greene, personal librarian to financier J. P. Morgan and his heirs in the first half of the 20th century. Although vastly different in background and temperament, Morgan and Belle share an encyclopedic knowledge of, and passion for, old and rare manuscripts. Belle is not only the lone woman in charge of an acclaimed library, she is a consummate bidder against rich and powerful men when it comes to acquiring them. The novel, a trove of information about the treasured documents and the rarefied social world of the era’s elite, is ultimately about how those who collect and preserve the past simultaneously seek to hide their own personal history. In Belle’s case, she is passing for white. Others must hide their religion, sexual identity, or other characteristics that, if known, would make them outcasts in the society they are desperate to remain a part of. The authors do a masterful job balancing the tension between Belle’s inner and outer worlds as she relishes her accomplishments while living in constant fear of exposure. As a historical fiction writer myself (see my Amazon author page and Goodreads author page), I admire their ability to keep readers immersed in the narrative moment while simultaneously painting a detailed backdrop of the times in which the events occur. So much in this book is “just right” – details about the rare manuscripts, characterization, pacing. And as a testament to the “colored” woman who, in reality, brought an amazing private collection into the public domain, The Personal Librarian is a worthy addition to any library.
Hiding her true identity, a woman achieves success and leaves a lasting legacy
Why writers read: “If you read good books, when you write, good books will come out of you.” – Natalie Goldberg
The friendship between the Queen and her Indian attendant defied social norms and sparked resentment in the Royal Household. Karim offered the Queen comfort and companionship. He was her “Munshi,” or Urdu teacher, and rose from servant to trusted advisor. 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.
This royal-servant friendship caused a stir
Two resilient women, two separate journeys, one lasting friendship
As a sick child, Tesla found comfort in the stories of Twain. Twain, always enamored of inventions, later befriended the adult Tesla. They likely met at a private party or men’s club in NYC and thereafter spent a lot of time together. A famous photo Tesla took of Twain has strange blotches, rumored to be a precursor of X-rays. True or not, it’s a great story featuring the writer and the inventor. 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.
Eerie photo of Tesla & Twain may be a precursor of X-rays
Two resilient women, two separate journeys, one lasting friendship
