DEAR MAINE: THE TRIALS AND TRIUMPHS OF MAINE’S 21ST CENTURY IMMIGRANTS by Morgan Rielly and Reza Jalali; Islandport Press, 2021; 192 pages, $19.95; ISBN 978-1-952143-19-9.
DEAR MAINE: THE TRIALS AND TRIUMPHS OF MAINE’S 21ST CENTURY IMMIGRANTS
Famous British author John Berger (1926-2017) thoughtfully wrote: “Emigration, compelled or chosen, throughout nationwide frontiers or from village to metropolis, is the quintessential expertise of our time.” And that’s definitely true as we speak in Maine.
“Pricey Maine” reveals simply how prophetic Berger’s phrases are, with the motion of individuals amongst continents and international locations so widespread and dramatic. Lately Maine has seen an increase in emigration from international lands, bringing vitality, hopes, goals, creativeness and vitality.
This can be a highly effective assortment of 20 “essay-style profiles” of immigrant women and men who’ve settled in Maine just lately. The tales of their journeys replicate their worry, uncertainty and doubt, as most fled violence, struggle, poverty, political, non secular and cultural persecution. The authors spent six years on this challenge, a notable effort to focus on immigrant sacrifices and contributions.
Rielly and Jalali chosen 20 immigrants from 18 international locations, telling their tales with each grace and fervor. For these women and men, their tales have joyful endings in Maine. They and their households are secure, wholesome, affluent Americans, and invaluable contributors to their new residence. Their journeys, nonetheless, had been typically terrifying nightmares of demise, damage, sickness, abuse, corruption and sacrifice. A number of by no means noticed their households once more. The fortunate ones had been well-educated and spoke English, for others the transition to a brand new life has been troublesome.
Two Somali girls have been elected to metropolis councils in Maine; one Iraqi man is an expert boxer; a Russian lady realized English watching The Simpsons on tv with hilarious outcomes. The essays additionally present beautiful perception into the oppressive, brutal and lethal situations of their residence international locations. It’s no marvel folks flee from international locations like Syria, Bosnia, Rwanda, Russia and El Salvador.
Their tales and successes are constructive examples of why “everybody needs to be given an opportunity.”
BAD MEDICINE: A MEDICAL THRILLER by Geoffrey M. Cooper; Maine Authors Publishing, 2021; 249 pages, $15.95; ISBN 978-1-63381-248-2.
BAD MEDICINE: A MEDICAL THRILLER
About scientists, French biologist Jean Rostand (1894-1977) wrote: “Nothing leads the scientist so astray as a untimely reality.” Both that or the scientist intentionally falsifies analysis knowledge for another function.
“Dangerous Drugs” is the newest medical thriller from Ogunquit creator Geoffrey Cooper, that includes analysis scientist Dr. Brad Parker and his lover FBI agent Karen Richmond. That is Cooper’s third thriller involving these characters, following “Nondisclosure” and “Endlessly.” And this one is significantly better — extra tightly wrapped, suspenseful, thrilling and plausible. Cooper is a retired most cancers researcher and educational administrator bringing stable skilled credentials to his thriller writing. And this might simply be titled “Dangerous Pharma.”
Parker takes a short lived job as director of the Maine Translational Analysis Institute in York, a most cancers analysis facility. There’s bother between two scientists competing for tenure — one is a hot-shot all-star, the opposite is hated by everybody: particularly the pompous school. Parker has to type it out, however he shortly smells a rat — accusations of analysis sabotage, threats, false knowledge, and the obvious poisoning of sufferers in a medical lung-cancer drug analysis trial.
Parker is in over his head, however thankfully Richmond’s FBI background brings readability and focus to what grow to be a homicide investigation. He’s sensible, however she is loads smarter, extra devious and much more ruthless. He makes a foul determination that results in blackmail, however she lastly hits on the one clue that breaks the case open.
Cooper’s sensible, well timed plot reveals drug analysis scientists to be prickly, boastful, smarmy, grasping egotists with excessive opinions and low morals — unhealthy combos when in mattress with Huge Pharma. Then toss in a cold-blooded employed murderer and the tenure combat takes on new significance. Plot twists and fast-paced motion make this a enjoyable but scary story.
Invoice Bushnell lives and writes in Harpswell.
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