Life in Reverse
Tales of a Very Stable Narcissist
Ron Westray
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Title Details
- ISBN: 9781839980398
- September 2021
- Pages: 424
- Imprint: First Hill Books
Written in reverse, the chapters go backwards. The book starts from present (approximately Chapter 50, 2020, back 30 years, to Chapter 20, 1990). The story coincides with an imbedded “road itinerary.” Years are rarely mentioned in the text; and, in most cases, only initials are used for all characters. People, places and things are all real in relation to the timeline. The work involves the interpolation of common conversations—from sources such as texting and emails—to shed light on the fallibility of human relations. To a large degree, and within reason, the length of conversations are meant to be overbearing, countered by other aspects of the writing. Ron Westray’s father and grandfather’s stories are imbedded in the work. His mother’s free-verse-poetry is the muse/soul that binds the work together like a second, invisible narrator.
One of the most highly regarded musicians of his generation, Ron Westray continues to expand upon the legacy set before him.
Preface; Chapters 51/50; Chapter 49; Chapter 48; Chapter 47; Chapter 46; Chapter 45; Chapter 44; Chapter 43; Chapter 42; Chapter 41; Chapter 40; Chapter 39; Chapter 38; Chapter 37; Chapter 36; Chapter 35; Chapter 34; Chapter 33; Chapter 32; Chapter 31; Chapter 30; Chapter 29; Chapter 28; Chapter 27; Chapter 26; Chapter 24; Chapter 23; Chapter 22; Chapter 21; Chapter 20; Appendix: The Lives and Deaths of Joe Westray and Ron Westray Sr.
“A brilliant musician and a courageous exploration of his complex life–to this point.” — Lorna Marsden, President emerita, York University, Canada
“Life In Reverse is an impressive mosaic of the adventures and reflections of a jazz musician, a women’s man, a black intellectual. Do not expect easy reading: this is not a run-of-the-mill autobiography, no self-analysis, no pop literature. It’s raw, private, demanding, serious, fun, a great picture of our times.” — Dr. Hans Christian Hagedorn, Professor, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, Spain
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