H. T. Manogue
This novel weaves not just characters, but universes, in a tale that opens the reader's eyes to another way of seeing. The title itself is a metaphor.
We follow the life of protagonist, Mase, who has Down syndrome, and his non-traditional family, who handle the challenges they face in surprising, but productive ways. Much of Mase's ability to bridge two universes is expressed through poetry and drawings with the help of his alter-ego, Alfie.
Author H.T. Manogue writes: "Choices create our experiences, but beliefs and perceptions as well as the influences surrounding those beliefs change each experience."
The epiphanal moments that open each character's heart to embrace their personal truth, invites the reader to view the world through the eyes of someone they may never have met before. We watch Mase not only navigate these separate universes, but create a portal through his poetry and art, allowing those closest to him to share his experiences. This all happens in a setting that evolves into a sustainable community where nothing that can be used is thrown away and no one is cast out.
Because the hero, Mase, has DS, much of the magic of this tale is in how this physical manifestation, once thought to be evidence of mental
disability, may very well be evidence of an advanced thought process.
Deborah H. Yemm on Amazon wrote:This novel weaves not just characters, but universes, in a tale that opens the reader's eyes to another way of seeing. The title itself is a metaphor.
We follow the life of protagonist, Mase, who has Down Syndrome, and his non-traditional family, who handle the challenges they face in surprising, but productive ways. Much of Mase's ability to bridge two universes is expressed through poetry and drawings with the help of his alter-ego, Alfie.
Author H.T. Manogue writes: "Choices create our experiences, but beliefs and perceptions as well as the influences surrounding those beliefs change each experience." The epiphanal moments that open each character's heart to embrace their personal truth, invites the reader to view the world through the eyes of someone they may never have met before.
We watch Mase not only navigate these separate universes, but create a portal through his poetry and art, allowing those closest to him to share his experiences. This all happens in a setting that evolves into a sustainable community where nothing that can be used is thrown away and no one is cast out.
Because the hero, Mase, has DS, much of the magic of this tale is in how this physical manifestation, once thought to be evidence of mental disability, may very well be evidence of an advanced thought process.
At a time when life sometimes seems dark, when the level of discourse has become crude, cruel and base, it is a wonderful thing to have a book like this to escape into. Manogue's book presents a vision of life - the more beautiful life our hearts know is possible. A world that works for everyone. The collective effort of the village-like farm in this book shows us what life would be like if we all worked together for the good of everyone involved. It is a vision worth carrying into everyday life. I am grateful I had the opportunity to read it.
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