‘A Raven in My Heart’ is, indeed, a great addition to local lore but it is much more than this. Even without any connection to Salmon Arm or the Shuswap, there are many elements in Kay’s memoir that readers anywhere will recognize, relate to and appreciate. It is grounded, to be sure, in the personal and specific but it also encompasses so much of transpersonal and the archetypal – the realms of spirit, myth and magic. This is not just ‘one woman’s story’ it is a variation on a universal story – a human soul in a journey through the wonders and perils of incarnation.
There are so many things to enjoy in reading this memoir and each reader will, no doubt, take away from it something special for themselves. I will highlight just a few aspects of it that I found particularly compelling.
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I really like the way the book is broken up into these short chapters or vignettes – each highlighting a particular theme, anecdote, relationship or inner process. Many of them could easily stand alone as short stories - complete in themselves. This makes it easy to pick up the book and read just one or a few of these and savour them – like tasty snacks.
I really like the way the book is broken up into these short chapters or vignettes – each highlighting a particular theme, anecdote, relationship or inner process. Many of them could easily stand alone as short stories - complete in themselves. This makes it easy to pick up the book and read just one or a few of these and savour them – like tasty snacks.•Kay has a very charming (and disarming) way of describing herself and her relationships. Although, for example, she is often relating upsets and difficulties and even traumas in her intimate relationships with men – she never demonizes or blames and is unusually candid about her own role in how these dramas play out. One gets the sense of a woman/person who is always learning and growing agonizing and reflecting – and the book contains quite an accumulation of insight and wisdom about navigating the intricate labyrinth of the human heart in relationship.
Kay has a very charming (and disarming) way of describing herself and her relationships. Although, for example, she is often relating upsets and difficulties and even traumas in her intimate relationships with men – she never demonizes or blames and is unusually candid about her own role in how these dramas play out. One gets the sense of a woman/person who is always learning and growing agonizing and reflecting – and the book contains quite an accumulation of insight and wisdom about navigating the intricate labyrinth of the human heart in relationship.•I appreciate the way she tells her own story but also that of her family and ancestors – so deftly intertwining them so that one gets the sense that it really is impossible to fully separate oneself from one’s lineage. Of particular note here are some wonderful and poignant memories of her father – including his transformation from nasty drunk to gentle bird watcher.
I appreciate the way she tells her own story but also that of her family and ancestors – so deftly intertwining them so that one gets the sense that it really is impossible to fully separate oneself from one’s lineage. Of particular note here are some wonderful and poignant memories of her father – including his transformation from nasty drunk to gentle bird watcher.•I am impressed and delighted by the way Kay unfolds her story while weaving in so much mythology, symbol, omen and synchronicity. As a writer who often explores spiritual or transpersonal themes I know how difficult it can be to articulate these dimensions within a linear narrative. Kay’s memoir makes this look easy – as if ravens, and tricksters, and ghosts are simply inevitable threads within a varied tapestry. Reading this I was not only taken by her anecdotes but also learned a hell of a lot about mythology - about gods and goddesses and aboriginal traditions – and, of course, about Ravens and blackbirds.
I am impressed and delighted by the way Kay unfolds her story while weaving in so much mythology, symbol, omen and synchronicity. As a writer who often explores spiritual or transpersonal themes I know how difficult it can be to articulate these dimensions within a linear narrative. Kay’s memoir makes this look easy – as if ravens, and tricksters, and ghosts are simply inevitable threads within a varied tapestry. Reading this I was not only taken by her anecdotes but also learned a hell of a lot about mythology - about gods and goddesses and aboriginal traditions – and, of course, about Ravens and blackbirds.What a delight to read ‘A Raven in My Heart’ and be able to sincerely affirm that it is a fascinating, layered and very well written memoir that is worth anybody’s time to read and reflect on.
Kay’s memoir focuses on the time in her life when she moved to the Shuswap area from Vancouver and opened a bookstore called ‘Reflections’ in Salmon Arm. It ends a few years later when, forced by poor health, stress, heartbreak and financial collapse, she closes the bookstore and begins a new journey of reflection – a journey that led to the writing and publishing of this book.
‘A Raven In My Heart’ does very nicely as a local interest story – rich in Salmon Arm and Shuswap history, geography, and lively characters. Some readers in Salmon Arm must be buzzing about just who some of these characters in it really are. “Just who is this native ‘George’ guy she had such an irresistible crush on?” There is scandal and titillation here too – plenty of it. Who knew there were white supremacists in innocent Salmon Arm? And what about those rabid fundamentalists that were convinced Reflections signalled an occult invasion, boycotted the store, painted white crosses on the windows and prayed for its demise?
