Comments on: One Salem Adventure Writer Turns to Inner Travel http://desperatelyseekingsalem.com/2009/11/06/one-salem-adventure-writer-turns-to-innner-travel/ Searching out the sublime, the silly and the surreal in Oregon's capital city. Fri, 16 Mar 2012 22:10:35 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Emily Grosvenor http://desperatelyseekingsalem.com/2009/11/06/one-salem-adventure-writer-turns-to-innner-travel/#comment-1107 Emily Grosvenor Sat, 21 Nov 2009 16:47:10 +0000 http://desperatelyseekingsalem.com/?p=1567#comment-1107 Thanks for your comments, Richard. As with all book reviews, my opinion is just one reader's response, of course. I have since spoken with others who have read the book and who have felt the same as I. But that doesn't even matter. I think my review gives a fair explanation of what reader's can expect. As a review, it simply falls in the gray area between "rant" and "rave." I have no doubt that Ms. Maxwell is still a sparkly redhead, but I can't just an author on who she is, just on what is on the page. Her voice all but disappears by the end of the book. That's a shame, because she has so many gifts as a narrator. Sadly, I didn't make it to Tea Party. I'm about nine months pregnant, and by 7 p.m., I'm usually ready to crawl out of my skin I'm so uncomfortable. That was one of those nights. Thanks for your comments, Richard. As with all book reviews, my opinion is just one reader’s response, of course. I have since spoken with others who have read the book and who have felt the same as I. But that doesn’t even matter. I think my review gives a fair explanation of what reader’s can expect. As a review, it simply falls in the gray area between “rant” and “rave.”

I have no doubt that Ms. Maxwell is still a sparkly redhead, but I can’t just an author on who she is, just on what is on the page. Her voice all but disappears by the end of the book. That’s a shame, because she has so many gifts as a narrator.

Sadly, I didn’t make it to Tea Party. I’m about nine months pregnant, and by 7 p.m., I’m usually ready to crawl out of my skin I’m so uncomfortable. That was one of those nights.

]]> By: Richard Herman http://desperatelyseekingsalem.com/2009/11/06/one-salem-adventure-writer-turns-to-innner-travel/#comment-1106 Richard Herman Sat, 21 Nov 2009 16:28:07 +0000 http://desperatelyseekingsalem.com/?p=1567#comment-1106 Emily, First, let me say I found your “desperatelyseekingsalem” site and you inspired me to “get out amongst them” more. Your site demonstrates the importance of looking for everyday adventures and searching for the story behind the story. Before I comment on your commentary of Roll Around Heaven, I must tell you I had the honor of shooting the photograph of Jessica Maxwell for her book and I have a bias. What I can tell you is the light in her eyes is authentic as is her “accidental spiritual adventures.” Did you make it to the Tea Party Bookshop reading to meet her in person? Like your read of Jessica’s book, I was with you for the first half of your commentary. You lost me when you said her “increasingly bizarre personal miracles…” and “Too many amazing and divine interventions on one page can make one person’s spiritual journey seem a little too easily won.” I heard Jessica speak to an audience of over 70 people at Powell’s last Friday night and I know she did not convey her 20-year spiritual journey “was easily won,” or won at all. As you yourself demonstrate, we are always at the beginning of our journey. As for true miracles, you know one when you have one. True miracles cannot be denied. Jessica is a reporter in the best journalistic tradition demonstrated by her long successful writing career. I do appreciate that you recognize there is a “larger lesson running through the book.” That “sparkly red-head” you liked at the beginning is still there as well as the “bumbler who knows that there is much that she doesn’t know.” She is still out there stalking spirit bears. Again, thank you for your website. Richard Herman. Emily,

First, let me say I found your “desperatelyseekingsalem” site and you inspired me to “get out amongst them” more. Your site demonstrates the importance of looking for everyday adventures and searching for the story behind the story.

Before I comment on your commentary of Roll Around Heaven, I must tell you I had the honor of shooting the photograph of Jessica Maxwell for her book and I have a bias. What I can tell you is the light in her eyes is authentic as is her “accidental spiritual adventures.” Did you make it to the Tea Party Bookshop reading to meet her in person?

Like your read of Jessica’s book, I was with you for the first half of your commentary. You lost me when you said her “increasingly bizarre personal miracles…” and “Too many amazing and divine interventions on one page can make one person’s spiritual journey seem a little too easily won.” I heard Jessica speak to an audience of over 70 people at Powell’s last Friday night and I know she did not convey her 20-year spiritual journey “was easily won,” or won at all. As you yourself demonstrate, we are always at the beginning of our journey. As for true miracles, you know one when you have one. True miracles cannot be denied.

Jessica is a reporter in the best journalistic tradition demonstrated by her long successful writing career. I do appreciate that you recognize there is a “larger lesson running through the book.”

That “sparkly red-head” you liked at the beginning is still there as well as the “bumbler who knows that there is much that she doesn’t know.” She is still out there stalking spirit bears.

Again, thank you for your website.

Richard Herman.

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