Castle’s writing also offers interesting insights beyond the relationship of the characters: “Leslie once told me that a film isn’t made by shooting stuff but rather, by editing it. The shooting is the inspiration and the ideas and the paint palette. The editing is the artist actually picking up the brush to accomplish the doing, the making something out of nothing.” I appreciate the wisdom Justine draws from her experiences as she makes amends and becomes more true to herself, which makes it possible for her to have more authentic relationships in the end.
You Look Different in Real Life is widely available, and Castle has readings and signings throughout the area this summer. To learn more about the author, visit www.jennifercastle.com.
The Three Feathers
Every so often I encounter a book that feels truer and more inspired than imagined or created. It’s as if the author channels a story drawn up from the depths of heretofore-undiscovered world mythology. That’s how I see Stefan Bolz’s book The Three Feathers.
In the story, a rooster named Joshua leaves the comfortable and predictable life of the chicken coop and heads on a quest to uncover the meaning of a persistent dream he has about three feathers. Along the way, he befriends Grey the wolf and Krieg the horse, and they travel together, inspired and motivated by Joshua’s vision: “Why did you help me?” Joshua asks the wolf. Grey replies, “I do not know the answer…I just knew I had to. The…longing in you was so strong and powerful I wanted to help you find whatever it was you are looking for. Maybe so I could find whatever it is I’m searching for as well.”
