Postcards from the Canyon
Postcards from the Canyon by Lisa Gitlin, published by Bywater Books in 2017, is a 360-page exploration of one woman’s tumultuous journey through grief and self-discovery. The narrative centers on Joanna Jacobs, a disillusioned novelist who begins to document her chaotic childhood in 1960s Cleveland, Ohio, following the unexpected death of her mother. This writing exercise evolves into a deeper reflection on her identity as a Jewish and gay woman, grappling with the complexities of her past and the chaos that often surrounds her.
Readers will find a blend of humor and poignant moments as Joanna navigates a series of unexpected events, including an inadvertent bomb threat that draws the FBI into her life. The story delves into themes of friendship, emotional turmoil, and the struggle for self-acceptance, all while Joanna confronts her rebellious spirit and the challenges of her upbringing. With its focus on LGBTQ+ experiences and city life, this edition offers a unique perspective on the intersections of identity and personal history, inviting readers to engage with Joanna’s journey in a world where control is elusive and chaos becomes a refuge.
Official synopsis Publisher
Lisa Gitlin’s Postcards from the Canyon is a quirky snapshot of one woman’s rapidly changing world, where control is an illusion and chaos offers shelter from an unrelenting storm.
Faced with the sudden and unexpected death of her mother, disillusioned novelist Joanna Jacobs begins chronicling her unruly childhood in 1960’s Cleveland, Ohio. But the writing exercise that starts as a means to reflect and refocus becomes a journal of Joanna’s rebellious existence. Jewish and gay, yet unwilling to expose herself to the accompanying scrutiny and rejection, Joanna spends much of her youth fostering chaos and embracing self-denial, even while celebrating an affirming commitment to the psychiatric ward.
After an inadvertent bomb threat to a conservative talk show host brings the FBI knocking on her door, Joanna finds herself navigating an unexpected immigrant invasion, a crew of juvenile delinquents in her living room, and a never-ending low pressure system. When the going finally gets too tough to wrangle alone, Joanna turns to her lifelong friends for emotional support–but this comfort is tempered by a confusing cocktail of lingering hurts, unresolved anger, and resurgent disappointment, making it even more difficult for Joanna to put her life to paper.
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