Janet Lynn Roseman wrote, in “On Writing Women’s Autobiography,” “Our histories, our experiences call to us, always speaking our truths in a deep and resonant voice; they ask us only to listen.  When women have the courage to write their stories, to write their truths, to address their silences—only then can their authentic journeys begin.”

We are going to celebrate women writers on Sunday, May 23, at the McClintic Library from 5:30 to 7 p.m. by presenting “The Lives of Literary Women.”  This is a presentation highlighting the lives, works and words of famous women writers through the years.  You will have an opportunity to ‘meet’ Margery Kempe,  a woman who lived from 1373 until after 1438, and is considered to be the first woman to write her autobiography in the English language.  We will hear from the Brontes: Charlotte, who wrote Jane Eyre, and her sister Emily, author of Wuthering Heights. There will be appearances from other female authors, right up to J.K. Rowling, creator of Harry Potter.  To round off the night, there will also be new works from the voices of the girls from High Rocks Academy.  It should be an exciting and enlightening evening, and we are so pleased to be working in conjunction with High Rocks and the Greater Greenbrier Valley Community Foundation.  The event is free and open to the public, and refreshments will be served.  We will also accept donations to benefit the Pocahontas County Free Libraries.

Speaking of famous women writers, I was very pleased to run across two new books, both about our very own Pearl S. Buck.  One is a novel by Anchee Min, called “Pearl of China.”  It is a novelization of Pearl Buck’s life in China, and her friendship with a young Chinese girl named Willow.  The story follows the two girls from their first meeting as children through adulthood, all set against the dramatic backdrop of revolution.  As a young girl in Maoist China, the author, Min, was forced to denounce Buck; this is her way of giving back to an incredible woman who truly loved the peasants of China. Hilary Spurling will release a new biography on Buck, “Pearl Buck in China,” in early June.  Previews of this work call it “riveting” and reviewers believe that this should bring Buck’s works back into focus, and to the forefront of the literary world once again.

I’m very anxious to read both of these works; I should note that the Hillsboro library now has two copies of Pearl of China right now, for those of you who may be interested.   I would be interested in hearing from readers: who are your favorite women writers?  Or is it too difficult to choose?  I’ll close with one more quote, from Joyce Carol Oates.  “My love of writing grew out of my love of reading, with which my very life is identified.  I can’t imagine a mental life, a spiritual existence, not inextricably bound up with language…telling stories, choosing an appropriate language with which to express each story: this seems to me quintessentially human, one of the great adventures of our species.”

I agree!