Tuesday, July 2, 2013

Alysia Abbott's Book

Alysia Abbott is on WNYC again, talking about her book, "Fairyland: A Memoir of My Father" and it reminds me that I wanted to recommend it after reading it last month. I think it would be of interest to many Plainfielders.

Rather than try to sum it up, I recommend this review, but readers here may have their own opinions and reactions to the story. I felt very sad reading about the AIDS era that took away not only Abbott's father and friends, but so many dedicated Plainfielders, people who saved the city's Victorian housing legacy or brought new cultural and social life to Plainfield. A city woman raised a daughter who beat the odds of pediatric AIDS and many people of all backgrounds became activists here to change the treatment of AIDS patients at Muhlenberg.

There are so many stories of gay and lesbian parenthood in Plainfield as well, with sons and daughters now grown and making their way in a very different world than their parents experienced.

This chronicle of her life's upsets and challenges ultimately honors not only Abbott's father, but many more men and women who struggled for identity and fulfillment in the 20th century.

--Bernice

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