When a plant is cut across the stem and killed, it is said to emit a sudden aura like a geyser, its last radiance. In autumn, right before the foliage of summer dies, it grows much brighter than it ever was in life. 'A Wreath of Pale White Roses' explores aging and dying from a perspective rarely found in fiction, as a time of intensification of memory, pain, and desire, a period of passionate re-synthesis and completion. The four protagonists, Peter, Laura, Max, and Madelaine, are all related to each other not only in the present but in the distant past. As their separate lives cross for the final time, their earlier relationships are reactivated on a deeper level by the surrealistic resurfacing of the obsessions of their childhoods, enabling them to draw towards death re-united with the many lost parts of themselves which give their lives a meaning that transcends their tragic isolation. ... A religious symbolism suffuses the setting of the novel, transforming the familiar New York City streets, churches, botanicas, and flower markets, lending these suffering "sacred pilgrims" an aura of luminescence emanating from the hope for warmth and light embodied in their striving. Erika Duncan's writing, harrowing in its poetry, lays bare those parts of us that are long forgotten, long buried under many layers of social taboo, and deeply hidden from our ordinary perception. Yet it becomes a healing and a blessing for all those who seek to pave a roadway through the inner night. ... This book was the winner in the publisher's search for a "novel of distinction by an unknown woman" to be supported by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts.
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Trade Paperback. Condition: USED Good. Seller Inventory # 265295
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Seller: Nelsons Books, Chazy, NY, U.S.A.
Trade paperback. Condition: Very good. First edition. 165 p. Audience: General/trade. Clean and tight some light edge wear. Seller Inventory # Alibris.0016653
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Seller: Wonder Book, Frederick, MD, U.S.A.
Condition: Good. Good condition. (new york, ficiton ) A copy that has been read but remains intact. May contain markings such as bookplates, stamps, limited notes and highlighting, or a few light stains. Bundled media such as CDs, DVDs, floppy disks or access codes may not be included. Seller Inventory # F16OS-00849
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Seller: Irish Booksellers, Portland, ME, U.S.A.
Condition: Good. SHIPS FROM USA. Used books have different signs of use and do not include supplemental materials such as CDs, Dvds, Access Codes, charts or any other extra material. All used books might have various degrees of writing, highliting and wear and tear and possibly be an ex-library with the usual stickers and stamps. Dust Jackets are not guaranteed and when still present, they will have various degrees of tear and damage. All images are Stock Photos, not of the actual item. book. Seller Inventory # 50-0802771076-G
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Seller: Walden Books, London, United Kingdom
Paperback. Condition: Very Good. Publisher's stiff card wrappers, published by Magic Circle Press, inscribed & signed by the author, covers slightly edgeworn, internally clean. ; 6" x 9"; 165 pages; Signed by Author. Seller Inventory # 35454
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Seller: James Fergusson Books & Manuscripts, London, United Kingdom
Soft cover. Condition: Very Good. First edition. Wrappers. Covers slightly marked, lower cover slightly creased. From the library of the poet David Gascoyne, with the Gascoyne library book-label and inscribed by the author on the dedication page, "For David and Judy Gascoyne, This early version of the dark, In hope of Light, and in memory of a beautiful weekend of sacred silences. Sincerely, Erika Duncan"; loosely inserted a photocopy article by her, "A Sense of Hope", inscribed to the Gascoynes. "A memorable supper," recorded Judy Gascoyne in her autobiography, "was with Erika Duncan and Buffi Johnson in Greenwich Village . . . Erika had been to our home to write a chapter about David, which she entitled My weekend with a Silent Poet." Judy fell asleep at dinner. Inscribed by Author(s). Seller Inventory # G100504
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Seller: Storm Mountain Books, Silver Spring, MD, U.S.A.
Condition: Collectible; Good. SIGNED 1st Edition. Weston, CT: Magic Circle Press, 1977. Softcover, bound in stiff illustrated wraps. Long Inscription by author on dedication page. Condition about good with minor shelf wear, small stain to bottom edge (not affecting text). No underlining, etc., NOT EX-LIBRARY. (b/nb). Seller Inventory # 0608W110467
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Seller: Mobyville, Chicago, IL, U.S.A.
Soft cover. Condition: Fine. This is the first published novel of the renowned writing-counselor, sent in 1994 to an editor with a signed letter briefly describing the book as well as a novel in progress, an article in progress, and some of her other interactions with editors. The letter comes across as very much the continuation of a conversation. The book is in excellent shape, with no marks of previous ownership beyond penciled marks by two subsequent booksellers. Seller Inventory # DRC-23Jan1-1
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