ABOUT THE BOOKS
ENTANGLED
- My novels and other books are primarily set in small-town Maine. There are exceptions, but that is my favorite work. Some are fiction, some are not, and some remain unwritten so we'll just have to see...
My first book, A CERTAIN FALL**, is a fictionalized account of life in my hometown, based on actual events occurring primarily through the 1950's and'60's to a present day. This book garnered some attention and evolved into a training model for the State of Maine Children's Services, and Spurwink School. This was followed by two other novels. SPIDER LAKE, a book for adults and young adults, the genre is mixed: a little horror/thriller and an effort at staying with my mission to share the complex truth about child abuse and its impact long term. MOTHER, NIGHT, AND WATER, published at Amazon's Create Space, a large novel that centers on the plight of a family and their children, who have encountered the prejudice of others because of poverty, and the unlikely bond that developed between two young people from different backgrounds. Set in small town Maine.
REVIEW OF SPIDER lAKE
"Spider lake, is a suspenseful tale of a father and 13 year old son who are lost, both in the Maine wilderness and in the parallel wilderness of their own relationship. The complexity of father-son relationships is revealed in the setting of an outdoor adventure,complete with a mysterious deadly monster. Equally captivating is the presentation of varied and interesting characters struggling with the universal conflicts such as fear vs courage, tenderness vs abusiveness, and strength vs violence. While directed at adolescents this novel will be of
interest to all ages." - Donald Stover, Ph.D.
ENTANGLED
My books are self-published. I prefer the freedom and control this allows. Don't have the time at my age to wade through the corporate book business, loaded with Catch-22's. But they are available at Amazon.com and some may still be available through Barnes and Noble. I currently have two Kindle ebooks available (MOTHER, NIGHT, AND WATER and ENTANGLED)
BOOKS:
A Certain Fall**
Spider Lake**
Mother, Night, and Water
Entangled
**(A Certain Fall and Spider Lake are out of Print.) Some older, poorly proofed, early editions may be available on Amazon as used books. Also at certain indie bookstores and libraries. I am going to revise and add to A Certain Fall and publish with a new publisher in the future. Check with the author for possible copies.
REVIEWS OF A CERTAIN FALL
"Chapman's ability to develop powerful characters and use vividly lifelike descriptions may have readers placing A Certain Fall on their shelves alongside the books of another such talented New England author--John Irving." - Mark Chag, Book Reviews, Advertiser-Democrat.
A Certain Fall is brilliant, haunting, moving, and intelligent." - James McDonough, LCSW
"Chapman has combined his literary skills, knowledge of the research and his career long experience in child welfare to create fiction that authentically describes the events and effects of child abuse." - Donald Stover, Ph.D. Clinical Psychologist.
"A Certain Fall allows for the serious consideration of an often overlooked element of healing--spirituality. By doing so Chapman invites us to consider the value and importance of this element in the healing process. What a gift he has." - Amy D. Ouellette, MD
"I was completely captured...staggered by the power of the story and the beauty of the writing. This is a wonderful, moving book." - Ellen Crosby, Clinical Therapist
"Great read on a horrific subject." Goodreads
5 stars.
"About childhood abuse...good read if you're in the MH field. " Goodreads 3 stars
ENTANGLED
ENTANGLED
ENTANGLED
My wife, Janis, was diagnosed in August, 2014 with a rapidly progressing dementia, Alzheimer's type, later as Lewy Body dementia. She was placed in a dementia unit that September at the age of 67. We have had 55 years together, and three children, now adults of course, as well as four grandchildren.
The book Entangled is a memoir in the style of a compendium. As a tribute to Janis and as an effort to portray what happens to children when they are assaulted, and the adult they become as a consequence of this abuse.
"Make no mistake; this is a love story." Foreward, by Jim McDonough (LCSW) (ret,)
"Childhood Matters." Robert M. Sapolsky
ENTANGLED, is published and available at Amazon.com as a book or on Kindle. Edited by Alston Badger and Elite Authors.
Facebook: Maine Novels by Robert Chapman
website: www.robertwchapman.com
email: jbojanis@gmail.com
Blog: www.robertchapmanblog.com
[see below for AND MORE...]
AND MORE...
ENTANGLED: EVENT BOOK SIGNING
The Mechanic Falls Historical Society
Saturday - SEPTEMBER 11th 1 - 4 pm ONLY - NOT ON SUNDAY
SAME LOCATION AS THE ONE BELOW. 108 Lewiston Street, MUNICIPAL BUILDING. In the Gym.
ENTANGLED: EVENT BOOK SIGNING:
THURSDAY, AUGUST, 19TH 2021, AT 6 PM - 7PM), LOCATION: 108 LEWISTON STREET, 3rd FLOOR LIBRARY, MUNICIPAL BUILDING. MECHANIC FALLS, MAINE.
For decades, I have kept diaries. These journals were never intended to be published in any form. But as I wrote ENTANGLED, I realized how significant they were. As a history of my life, most of which has included Janis, it seemed to be valuable for posterity, that is, for future family members to know me - to know us; and the events that were part of our lives, that influenced who we were and who we became. But for the purposes of publication to the general public I chose to select a period, summarized of course, for the book Entangled. I decided to reach a little deeper into these journals that have become a documentation of the days, in context with the history in which they are embedded. What we think, what we do, are within the broader context of our times, the moments of history that impact and involve all of us in that moment, this moment right now.
So, if you are interested. I will share a little more of my diaries, as well as other entries, and current notes. I promise not to go all the way back. I may end up duplicating some stuff from the blog. But, I'm trying to keep that focused on Janis's life - our life - during these years of dementia, and Corona/Covid-19.
- I Plan to place any UPCOMING EVENTS on this page as well.
Entangled and Love in the Time of Corona
Entangled is edited and published. In the meanwhile, Covid 19 has taken hold. The Corona virus has changed life dramatically and it changed the way I intend to publish. Entangled may not reach millions of people but I believe it is worthy and brings some unique understanding of giving of ourselves compassionately, as Pema Chodron describes, “Compassion is a threat to the ego. We might think it is warm and soothing, but actually, it is very raw. When we set out to support others, when we go so far as to stand in their shoes, when we aspire to never close down on them, we quickly find ourselves in the uncomfortable territory of life not on my terms". ~Pema Chodron.
Writing this book has challenged me in a lot of ways. I thought I understood compassion. Not so. It took a lifetime to truly grasp a limited comprehension of what it means. It has been a humbling life. And I describe in the book the path I started at the age of 13 y.o that brought me three years later at the age of 15 into the orbit I find myself in today, more than half a century later without Janis. Together/Alone. In the time of Corona.
