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Autumn Seclusion

by Andrea Ferrell

162 pages; quality trade paperback (softcover); catalogue #04-1851; ISBN 1-4120-4044-2; US$20.00, C$2.50, EUR2.00, £1.50

Autumn Seclusion is a story of passion and anger. A novel that expresses the challenges of intimate relationships and true friendships. A woman's struggle with self-identity.

About the Book

Autumn Seclusion is a serious narrative told through the eyes of a thirty year old woman as she reflects on her life. Many women appear perfect in the eyes of the world, but have underlying fears that remain hidden behind a multitude of closed doors. This is true of the main character in Autumn Seclusion. Spanning a lifetime, the novel details the main character's challenges at home, as well as, the desire for acceptance and unconditional love from those she encounters later in life. Her voyages take you from the tidewater regions of North Carolina to the hidden quest for self-identity in Thailand.

The novel allows the reader to intimately connect with Anna, the main character. Rejection from home and a series of draining, abusive realtionships lead the character to costly decisions and a loss of self-awareness. The rejection begins when the character's family fails to accept a relationship between their daughter and a Native American from Upstate, New York. Even though the relationship is based on mutual love and respect, the ties at home are severed. Lamenting the loss of her family, the character travels down lonely and winding paths, which eventually forces her to flee the United States to restructure her life.

Autumn Seclusion is a novel that urges the reader to re-evaluate how they view themselves and those they love. Focusing on the evolution of a person's life and the meaning of forgiveness, it will leave you seaching for new colors in each season of your own life. Complimentary of the landscapes of North Carolina and of Thailand, it paints a lasting image in your own mind.

About the Author

Andrea Ferrell is a native of Eastern North Carolina. Using her passion for writing, she has completed her first novel and is currently finishing her second, Nordic Ice.

Review

The mid-life crisis: It is something we young people can look forward to in our future, once the inevitable dissatisfaction with our lives sets in. Those who have already experienced it might look back on it as a time of panic and temporary immaturity, brought on by too much pressure, discomfort or just disappointment.

Men usually handle their mid-lives by getting a tattoo or piercing, a girlfriend fresh out of high school, and usually some kind of automotive therapy. For women, however, a mid-lifer usually requires a little bit more soul-searching: reflecting on childhood memories, past relationships, family issues and the like. It*s a scary journey to take, never knowing what will be uncovered.

Andrea Ferrell*s new book was written to help women undergoing an existential crisis. Autumn Seclusion follows the analyzation and reconstruction of Anna, Ferrell*s main character, who has undergone a series of rejections and bad decisions in her life. The book not only builds characters and their stories, but also paints a lasting picture of two endlessly beautiful sceneries. The story bounces between Anna*s homeland, eastern North Carolina, and her travels through Thailand. The local landscape provides a comfort zone for local readers, while at the same time, taking them on a breathless adventure into the Far East. Ironically, Anna perceives them in opposite fashion. Her home-life memories are filled with tension, while Thailand is regarded as a sanctuary filled with answers and serenity.

The book begins by fast-forwarding to Anna*s travels through Thailand, a decision she makes in order to do some advanced soul-searching. Her guide, Quen, foreshadows a possible healthy romance. Even though the book has only gone through a few pages, the reader can immediately feel Anna*s need for a stable relationship. Despite her love of her new surroundings and her open approach to feeling out a foreign country, the character of Anna reads lost and incomplete. She is constantly looking for something. Anna has gone to Thailand to reflect on her life and find the factor that led her down a destructive path: her cold family, her failed romances or perhaps something else entirely.

The memories of her family and lost love life are combined when the readers begin to uncover a forbidden romance in the book*s chapters. With both conflicts coming to a head, Anna is not ready to choose between love and family, but ultimately is faced with losing both. The climactic result is the main force behind the book, fueling her broken-hearted breakdown and eventual escape to the East in search of a personal nirvana.

Ferrell*s writing is savory and deep, paying a strong tribute to both settings in her book, showing a high regard for the Carolina shores and the fiery landscapes of Thailand. In the book*s introduction, Ferrell treats her readers to a luxurious description:

*Knowing the sun would set soon, we had to move forward and hope that he [the sun] would not disappear,* she writes of Anna*s quest through the Thai jungles. *The water rippled and the sky denoted the golden hues of a setting sun. The secret getaway came into sight. The boulders of the mountain with the arching entrances and tumbling waterfalls blew my mind.*

Ferrell*s first book is an impressive insight into a broken woman, written beautifully to compliment both eastern Carolina and the Far East. Anna*s story is a serious read, though well worth the effort. Autumn Seclusion is a lesson in forgiveness and personal responsibility that many people (not just women) would do well to follow.

- Lauren Hodges

Excerpts

Haunting, pale pink eyes followed Quen and me throughout the moss green Teak forest. Massive vines wrapped around each tree's bark. The thickness of the jungle surrounded us from all angles. Amazement crept easily into my soul.

Reflecting over this land, I understood God created an incredible universe. Seeing the cascading waterfalls of the highlands of Chiang Rai my heart filled with a peace only yearned for most of my life.

Today, Quen reached for my hand and lead me throughout his world. He was leading me to his secret cove. The place he found Nirvana. Quen realized I was Christian, He grasped the fact I would pray. Watching over me the past several years, he knew I would never seek meditation. This did not matter. Our friendship had grown while I traveled Thailand with him.

As we snaked our way through the mountainous terrain, I began to listen to the sounds of the forest. Insects flittered on the leaves and ground. Certain areas of the jungle produced fruit. Heavenly, tropical fruits hung from the trees. Quen and I picked durian, it had a distinctive aroma. Following Quen's example, I ate the fruit by removing the skin and sinking my teeth into the succulent, juicy mound. We gorged on the luscious durian during the mile long hike to the sacred cove.

Meandering the trails, the destination became closer. The only creature aware of our trek was the pink eyed being tracking behind us. Quen and I noted the rare albino elephant marching silently to the rear. The dust colored, small eared, white toed beauty had been attached to us from the moment we entered the woods. the elephant stayed nearby careful not to come into the clearings. These creatures were not jungle dwellers. They loved the safety and regality of the cities. We were not sure how the magnificent animal made his way into the trees. We smiled at each other knowing how fortunate our time with him would be. As we reached the river, which would lead us to the hidden cove, Quen and I worried that he would not be at the river's edge when we returned from our spiritual expedition. Knowing the sun would set soon, we had to move forward and hope he would not disappear. Grabbing my hand, Quen pulled me on the raft and he set us on a course for the cove. The water rippled and the sky denoted the golden hues of a setting sun. The secret getaway came into sight. The boulders of the mountain with the arching entrances and tumbling waterfalls blew my mind. Quen told me we had reached our destination. We would have to exit the raft and make our way along the slick boulders to the private area inside. We would spend time in spiritual pursuits while hidden in the cove.

My mission, once we settled down, engulfed prayer while my companion spread his blanket for serious meditation. Awe and beauty quickly grasped me. The communing with God and impeccable nature around us displaced all worries. As we concluded our first moments of spiritual connections, we decided to climb the rocks leading to the top of the cove. Clutching the grey marbled stones, we pulled each other to the highest level of the mountain. Our elevated sanctuary brought serenity, a calmness few people find. A peace so long forgotten, an inner strength lost for over thirty years finally replaced all the emptiness within my physical shell. The trials and tribulations that had brought me to Thailand and this high cliff thousands of miles from home were at last fading away. Meeting my friend and feverishly imploring God for help during my time in Southeast Asia had made the difference. Knowing I had come full circle and that life would be brighter, I began to reflect beyond Thailand, my foreign home, and back to my roots. The incredible skyline of this mountain made it possible for me to ponder the distant memories. It gave my mind free reign to drift back to my family and the place I used to profess as home. The region never vanished from my heart. It simply became hidden behind my anger, aggression, and tearful pride. Thankfully, God had forgiven me of my weaknesses. I knew somehow He would lead me back to North Carolina and my family.