Postcards from the Canyon [Paperback]

Faced with the sudden and unexpected death of her mother, disillusioned novelist Joanna Jacobs begins chronicling her unruly childhood in 1960's Cleveland, Ohio. But the writing exercise that starts out as a means to reflect and refocus becomes a journal of Joannas rebellious existence. Jewish and gay, yet unwilling to expose herself to the accompanying scrutiny and rejection, Joanna spends much of her youth fostering chaos and embracing self-denial, even while celebrating an affirming commitment to the psychiatric ward.
After a inadvertent bomb threat to a conservative talk-show host brings the FBI knocking on her door, Joanna finds herself navigating an unexpected immigrant invasion, a crew of juvenile delinquents in her living room, and a never ending low pressure system. When the going finally gets too tough to wrangle alone, Joanna turns to her lifelong friends for emotional supportbut this comfort is tempered by a confusing cocktail of lingering hurts, unresolved anger, and resurgent disappointment, making it even more difficult for Joanna to put her life to paper.
Postcards from the Canyonis a snapshot of one woman's rapidly changing world, where control is an illusion and chaos offers shelter from an unrelenting storm.

The author is one of the few literary-minded Jewish lesbian novelists writing about that unique existence.

A quirky novel full of Jewish lesbian ADHD angst, and humor.

The first in a series of three, follows the narrator's lifestarting at age 60, and moving backward to her childhood.

Author is a popular voice within contemporary feminist and lesbian literary communities.

Simultaneous print and ebook release.

Gitlins writing is sharp, infused with a dark, irreverent wit. ?ForewordReviewsNew Orleans, LA; Chicago, IL; Provincetown, MA; New York, NY; Washington; DC; Cleveland, OH; Readings throughout New York City I cleared my day and sat down to read, and soon realized that I was hal#Å