by Mary Sharratt

Thomas Wolfe’s iconic novel You Can’t Go Home Again explores the difficulty of returning to one’s childhood home after experiencing the freedom and sophistication of the wider world.

After the eruption of an Icelandic volcano last week, Wolfe’s words have taken on a completely new meaning as countless travelers find themselves stranded. I am one among many.

On April 3, I set off on my book tour to launch my new novel, Daughters of the Witching Hill. Flying from my adopted home in Lancashire, Northern England, I had a wonderful time doing book events in Boston and Salem before flying on to Minnesota, my childhood home, where I happily reunited with family and friends, old and new, between readings and interviews.

On Sunday April 18, my planned departure date, I was ready to go home to my husband and my pony. However, it was not to be. My flight was canceled due to air traffic restrictions over Europe. The earliest I can fly back to England is Monday, April 26.

Meanwhile I wait in limbo, hoping to book some more author events so I can at least make my extra time here useful. And I’m busily writing posts for my ongoing Virtual Blog Tour.
You truly can’t go home again . . . until flight restrictions are eased and they have a free seat available.

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Blog tour

English author Mary Sharratt has longer book tour, thanks to Iceland ash

I had the honor of attending the PEN/Hemingway awards at the JFK Library Boston last weekend with Brigid Pasulka , winner of this year's prize for her debut novel A Long Long Time Ago and Essentially True. I was filled with pride and thrilled to be reacquainted with old publishing friends, and meet many new ones including this year's judges Gail Tsukiyama , Michael Lowenthal and Julia Glass. Dorothy Allison's keynote address was characteristically amusing and who wouldn't be impressed (as I was) to meet Patrick Hemingway, who presented the award.

Being part of this weekend-long festivity was heartwarming (I admit to actually tearing up during Brigid's acceptance speech) and inspiring and an experience I will never forget. At a time when it is increasingly difficult to draw attention to new writers, I hope this award will introduce Brigid's amazing first novel to the large audience it so richly deserves.

(photographs courtesy of the JFK Library)