Publisher's Synopsis
Some writers are truly gift ed in their talent to reach the hearts, minds and souls of their readers. Some authors' ability to reach out with words and grasp the sheer essence of human anguish, torment and suffering and then portray that substance into stories of real life drama can be overwhelming and powerful to their readers. Jean McCord was one of these such authors. Reaching into the memory alcoves of her own difficult and tragic childhood, McCord dealt with and learned to understand the agony of hurtful human conditions. Her gift s are her stories to help others, her readers, to recognize, understand, sympathize, empathize, and perhaps learn to deal with similar pains in their own lives. For those set apart from others by physical characteristics, social status, money or the lack of it, language differences of one sort or another, or just because they feel different, there can be many lonely moments. There may also be ti mes of self-realization that come to some who see themselves as more a part of the background of life around them rather than key players. Such moments may be acceptable to some under their circumstances or, more likely, hurtful in their intent or result.
Each of the ten persons who appear in these ten stories is isolated from others, set apart, by some condition not of his choosing. And each regrets it. All of the following characters strive in their own ways to overcome their loneliness. Some come to harm, some to grief and a few to satisfaction or just acceptance. It does not matter, Jean McCord is saying, who you were born or what your circumstances are. If you are born a loner, your condition will not change. You must accept your fate and do what you can. Maybe you will become stronger because of what you are. Just believe in yourself, accept but challenge your fate and follow your mind. These are forceful stories that reach to the heart of many human problems.
