Midwest Book Review on Raymond Luczak’s Compassion Michigan

The Literary Fiction Shelf

Raymond Luczak
Modern History Press
5145 Pontiac Trail, Ann Arbor, MI 48105-9627
9781615995288, $33.95, HC, 200pp
Synopsis: Doesn’t history matter anymore? Could we still have compassion for others who don’t share our views? Encompassing some 130 years in Ironwood’s history, “Compassion, Michigan: The Ironwood Stories” by Raymond Luczak (who is a Yooper native, and either the author or the editor of 24 books — including Flannelwood) illuminates characters struggling to adapt to their circumstances starting in the present day, with its subsequent stories rolling back in time to when Ironwood was first founded.
As an author with a genuine flair for originality and the kind of narrative storytelling skill set that keeps the readers total and rapt attention to what they are reading, author Raymond Lucazk has created an impressive body of work with “Compassion, Michigan: The Ironwood Stories”
These are deftly crafted and engaging stories about what does it mean to live in a small town (so laden with its glory day reminiscences) against the stark economic realities of today:
  • A Deaf woman, born into a large, hearing family, looks back on her turbulent relationship with her younger, hearing sister.
  • A gas station clerk reflects on Stella Draper, the woman who ran an ice cream parlor only to kill herself on her 33rd birthday.
  • A devout mother has a crisis of faith when her son admits that their priest molested him.
  • A bank teller, married to a soldier convicted of treason during the Korean War, gradually falls for a cafeteria worker.
  • A young transgender man, with a knack for tailoring menswear, escapes his wealthy Detroit background for a chance to live truly as himself in Ironwood.
  • When a handsome single man is attracted to her, a popular schoolteacher enters into a marriage of convenience only to wonder if she’s made the right decision.

Raymond Luczak, author of Compassion, Michigan

Critique: The twin roles of the literary short story are to entertain and to provoke thought. As an author with a genuine flair for originality and the kind of narrative storytelling skill set that keeps the readers total and rapt attention to what they are reading, author Raymond Lucazk has created an impressive body of work with “Compassion, Michigan: The Ironwood Stories”. While especially and unreservedly recommended for both community and college/university library Contemporary American Literary Fiction collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that “Compassion, Michigan: The Ironwood Stories” is also readily available in a paperback edition (9781615995271, $21.95) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $6.95).

Editorial Note: Raymond Luczak is a Yooper native, is the author and editor of 24 books, including Flannelwood.

Lucky G and the Melancholy Quokka [HC]

978-1-61599-542-4
$23.95
How Play Therapy can Help Children with Depression
In stock
1
Product Details
UPC: 978-1-61599-542-4
Brand: Loving Healing Press
Binding: Paperback
Edition: 1st
Author: Amy Wilinksi-Lyman
Illustrator: Leela Green
Pages: 44
Publication Date: 11/01/2020

Raves for the Raven Who is a Therapist

This book grabs you from the outset and takes you on a hopeful journey: A colorful, spunky raven (with a Ph.D.) travels to Australia to meet aquokka who has lost his true smile, finds it hard to move and isn't hanging out with friends anymore. Dr. G knows that depression is the culprit, and extends a listening ear and helping hand, all the while reassuring the quokka that lots of adults and kids feel depression, too!

"The illustrations are colorful and whimsical, and the fact that Amy takes us on a journey to Australia provides the novelty that keeps the book captivating and moving right along. I truly enjoyed reading this and I believe children with depression, and their parents, will find acknowledgment, guidance and hope in this little book. Enjoyable, informative and capable of capturing a child's imagination."
-- Eliana Gil, Ph.D., Founder, Gil Institute for Trauma Recovery & Education, Fairfax, VA

"In her latest Lucky G book installment, Wilinski-Lyman makes the concept of play therapy accessible to children and parents. Speaking from experience, and from the heart, she presents therapy as a helpful tool for kids and fights stigma against depression. Her characters are easy to relate to for children and families alike. The vivid and expressive illustrations by Leela Green make this book a visual treat for all ages."
-- Marta Manning, former president NAMI Midland, MI chapter (National Alliance on Mental Illness)

"I liked the whole story. Blue was my favorite character--I would be friends with him. I liked how Blue was sad at the start and then was happy by the end."
-- Astor, 7 years old

AMY WILINSKI-LYMAN lives in Michigan with her three awesome children: Zach, Drew, and Kendall; and her big fluffy orange cat, Marshall. Amy became a mental health warrior in 2016 after she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Through her books and online presence she wants to show parents and children living with mental illness that there is hope.

Learn more at AmyLymanAuthor.com

From Loving Healing Press www.LHPress.com

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