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