Read It and Reap: Clinton author explores perils of perfection in novel about eugenics – Worcester Telegram

Ann Connery Frantz| Telegram & Gazette

Area author Patrick Broderick, who writes as Silas Barrow, will be at Tidepool Bookshop, 372 Chandler St., at 6:30 p.m., March 24, to present his book, For Their Blood Burns Wild.

Broderick, a Clinton resident, has written about a fictional (but once real) society that employs eugenics to sort out the perfect from the imperfect genetic family. Those deemed impure (criminals, homosexuals, mentally ill or anyone with a disability in their family) are rounded up and sterilized before being removed from proper societies, their belongings confiscated, their jobs ended.

Its based on the real turn-of-the-century eugenics movement in the U.S., during which thousands of people were sterilized in various states. The author researched the era thoroughly and has written an absorbing novel, revolving around a fictional family, hiding with others from the eugenics agents and gang members of pures, who search for anyone deemed imperfect. It is a readable, thought-provoking story, opening up a dialogue about societal attitudes toward people with different backgrounds, different lifestyles or medical problems.

Barrows self-published book is available at Tidepool and through Amazon.

Author Fern Davis Nissim of Shrewsbury has written a series to encourage children to engage in family history through the characters of ants. The first books in her series, Antilines Brave Adventure: A Tale of Freedom for Young Children, and Antilines True Discovery: A Tale of Finding Family and Friendship, opens the world of family backgrounds and accepting others who are different. Nissims little Red Ant books urge an understanding of freedom, self-acceptance and tolerance.

Currently, there are six books in the red ant series.

As her first foray in illustration, Fern adapted her dads original story, Antilines Brave Adventure, into a rhyming format for her own grandchildren. In the second book, Antilines True Discovery, written and illustrated by Nissimand Sue Fleishman, they have kept the integrity and personality of the main character as she moves forward on her journey of self-discovery and awareness of the world around her.

Despite her years in marketing, communications and public relations, Nissim fulfilled a lifelong ambition after she became a grandmother, starting the Little Red Ant series for her grandchildren to learn about self-discovery, family and the world they share. She created the books as conversation starters between adults and young children.

For information, see http://www.littleredantbooks.com/ourbooks.

E. Raymond Tatten of Sterling has published Sawyers Regret: A Contest with Circumstances, a story of Colonial America based on the actual October 1705 kidnapping of a 16-year-old Lancaster boy and his father by Indians. The book is an entertaining read, and will provide younger students of Lancaster history with information about kidnapping and ransom of pioneers that they may never have suspected. Elias and his father joined a small group of prisoners as they made their way 500 miles to Canada. The book in paperback or Kindle is available on Amazon and Root and Press Bookstore.

The NOW Book Group meets at 5 p.m.March 17at the TidePool Bookshop, Chandler Street. Topic is Nella Larsens Passing. The February bookwill be reviewed before discussion turns to March, with Richard Osmans The Thursday Murder Club. The book features strong female characters and pushback on stereotypes of the elderly.

The March 15 SciFi Book Club meeting at Simon Fairfield Public Library, Douglas, will discuss Andy Weirs Hail Mary. The novel tells the story of a teacher-turned-astronaut who awakens from a coma afflicted with amnesia.

Fairfields Book Bunch club will meet at 4 p.m.March 23to discuss Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliett.

Send book club news to ann.frantz@gmail.com. This column is published twice monthly.

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Read It and Reap: Clinton author explores perils of perfection in novel about eugenics - Worcester Telegram