Sunday, October 28, 2018

Item #164 from my Kerouac bookshelf: "Reversing Falls," a short story by Sharon Doubiago



Item #164 in my Kerouac bookshelf curation project is this draft short story, "Reversing Falls, 1973," by Sharon Doubiago. It is 26 pages long, printed on standard 8-1/2" x 11" typing paper, and is in good condition (having been in a manila folder ever since I've had it). Which brings us to the provenance.

I first met Sharon Doubiago in January 2013 at a beat poetry event at the Sweetwater Music Hall in Mill Valley, California. I was introduced to her by event organizer, Gerry Nicosia. Sharon -- as you can see by clicking here -- is an accomplished poet and writer. When she heard that I was from Maine, she insisted on sharing with me a short story she'd been working on that features Maine and other northern New England locales. I don't know if she has published this particular story, but it's very engaging (and not just because I'm from Maine). The backbone of the story is a road trip she took in New England, but Doubiago deftly weaves in history, sociology, philosophy, sex, love, environmentalism, and other relevant topics.

Does this story belong on a Kerouac bookshelf? It belongs on mine since I'd never have met Sharon if it weren't for Kerouac biographer Gerry Nicosia introducing us. That' a good enough reason for me given my predilection for pointing out that all things connect to Kerouac.


Below is a picture of Shelf #5 (last one!) of my Kerouac bookshelf showing the placement of this item (18th from the top of the pile) on the day I started curating my collection. Next up: Playboy from June 1959 featuring Jack Kerouac's essay, "Origins of the Beat Generation."

Shelf #5 of my Kerouac bookshelf

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

I do not know whether it's just me or if everyone else encountering problems with
your site. It appears like some of the written text within your posts are running
off the screen. Can someone else please comment and let me
know if this is happening to them as well? This might be a
problem with my internet browser because I've had this happen previously.
Appreciate it

Rick Dale, author of The Beat Handbook said...

I have no idea what might be happening. It it happening to other readers? Please weigh in with a comment....

Anonymous said...

Mine is fine. RM