Marian Birch in Conversation with Kate Reavey

Marian will discuss her first novel, a coming of age work of Literary Historical Fiction. The year is 1953, as seven year old Edith faces her eighth year, she is torn from her home by the Worcester Tornado, the 21st deadliest tornado in U.S. history. Edith has always had a rich fantasy life, filled with fairies, adventures and storybook characters. She escapes to it when she is buffeted by strains in her parents' marriage, and by their preoccupation with adult matters like politics, careers, and sex or when she is scared by stormy weather, by the news - it is 1953- about nuclear bombs, about the execution of Communist spies who have children her age, or by her mother's fragile nerves. Now she is seven, it is no longer so easy to overlook what she sees to escape this way. She is more and more aware of the Cold War era threats of nuclear war and McCarthyism to her security and her beloved family. As best she can, she squares her small shoulders to understand and face an uncertain future.

In "The Age of Reason" we experience a period of American life that is not-so-distant and not-so-different from our own time-the Cold War of the 1950's. We see it through the eyes of a wise child. Edith is bravely emerging from the protective swaddling of childish make-believe, where her vivid imagination can transport her out of any difficulties. She then encounters a reality that is complicated, difficult and sometimes frightening.

Marian worked for 10 years to craft "The Age of Reason." There is a ring of truth that suffuses the story based on a careful study of history, politics, philosophy and built upon her extensive work as a clinical psychologist working with and writing about troubled families, infants, and children.

Marian Birch has lived on the Olympic Peninsula, with her husband Bronson, for 25 years. In addition to writing she loves to kayak, snowshoe, garden and play the Irish Wire-Strung Harp.

We invite you to help us celebrate Marian Birch's debut novel and would be grateful for the privilege of your time.