Meet Author Brunonia Barry

My book group and I enjoyed reading and talking about Brunonia’s first book, The Lace Reader. When we learned this award-winning author was coming to to discuss, The Map of True Places, released in paperback on March 22 we decided to read the book and attend her talk. Here are a few things to know about this author and her work.

What is The Map of True Places About?

This is a novel about “finding your true place in the world,” and “finding your way home.” Aside from the fact that most of the story takes place in Salem, Massachusetts, I am not going to divulge what happens because I don’t want to spoil it for you. I am halfway through it and find it hard to put down. (“Oh, I have to stop reading to prepare dinner? Do we really have to eat?”)

Brunonia Barry Talks about Writing

Brunonia said for her, “writing is about asking questions.” Two questions she considered as she wrote this book are, “What if a psychologist crossed ethical boundaries and caused the death of a patient?” And, “How do you navigate in a world where the maps you have no longer work?” She does a fantastic job answering these and other questions.

Interesting Tidbits

It took Brunonia two years to write The Map of True Places. She learned a lot about celestial navigation and incorporated this into the book. She doesn’t include much physical description of her characters because she wants the reader to image what they look like.  

More Information

Brunonia’s first book The Lace Reader was a New York Times Bestseller and an international hit and is being made into a movie. If you would like to know more about Brunonia Barry, visit her website at www.BrunoniaBarry.com. Her R.J. Julia presentation about The Map of True Places will be posted on her site.

Debbie’s Daily Dose of Food for Thought

invites hundreds of authors to the store each year and we are so fortunate to have this independent bookstore nearby. Books open our minds, transport us to different worlds and allow us to “try on” someone else’s life for awhile. David McCord’s poem, Books Fall Open captures this experience: “Books fall open, you fall in, delighted where you’ve never been; hear voices not once heard before, reach world on world through door on door; find unexpected keys to things locked up beyond imaginings.” So, check out R.J.’s website, take a drive to Madison to visit the store, talk with the staff, and plan to attend an upcoming event.  Get lost in a book. Don’t worry, the real world will be waiting for you when you are done and there will always be dinner to prepare.