Literary Novel / Historical Fiction
Date Published: 07-23-2024
Publisher: Vine Leaves Press
Now 80 years old, retirement and advanced age have dissipated the spirit of six college radicals of the 1960s, who jointly had participated in civil rights campaigns and anti-war protests. Having engaged in only periodic communication over the decades, they suddenly receive an invitation to reunite for an extended weekend. Struggling with whether to go, each of them has divergent qualms and expectations for the proposed gathering.
During their three days together, they confront their inner demons, each other, and their future. Does Rebecca, the prime mover of the event, find solace after losing her wife and career? Can Malaika regain her sense of self after stepping down from her successful law practice? Mourning the loss of her youthful athletic prowess and attractiveness, what happens when Deanna faces her old friends?
Struggling with two divorces and a failing marriage, can Russell attain peace of mind? How will Max, an expat living in Canada, manage with his incipient dementia? Will the demoralized Keith recover his idealism?
Wrinkled Rebels is a story of how six people achieve meaningful lives through the struggle for social justice. It is also a tale of love, the bonds of friendship, and growing old positively.
What is the hardest part of writing your books?
Coming out as gay during the 1960s took great courage and often at the sacrifice of family, friends and career. I wanted one of my characters (Rebecca) to wrestle with what it was like to “come out” before the turn of the 21st century. My daughter, Alix, had been an activist for LGBTQ rights as a spoken word poet but other than my talks with her, I had little first-hand experience with the gay lifestyle, its sexuality, or facing the disapproval of other people. The hardest scene was to describe Rebecca’s first attraction to a woman at a party that she and her friends attended.
What are your most played songs?
I mostly listen to folk songs from the 1960s/1970s (acoustic guitar only), which my characters in “Wrinkled Rebels” enjoyed, as well as music from the 1950s. These tunes, on my CD, accompany me while I jog most mornings.
Do you have critique partners or beta readers?
I’ve used friends to critique my work, as well as the amazing help from Vine Leaves Press for Wrinkled Rebels.
What book are you reading now?
A few years ago I started reading historical novels about the holocaust and found that they can give an emotional understanding of the atrocities and the effect on individuals and families in ways that academic books can’t. And, these accounts, which take historical accuracy seriously, can provide alternative personal perspectives, such as the impact on people from different nations, including the Germans themselves. Right now I am reading “The Taster,” by V.S. Alexander.
How did you start your writing career?
As part of my career as a political science professor at Lehigh University, I have been writing nonfiction for over fifty years, focusing on health care and aging politics and policies. But I’ve always wanted to write novels and in 2002 I published my first one. It was an exhilarating experience and I hungered to do it again. Twenty-two years later, Wrinkled Rebels was the outcome.
Tell us about your next release.
Wrinkled Rebels will be released July 23, 2024, by Vine Leaves Press: Now 80 years old, retirement and advanced age have crushed the spirit of six committed college radicals of the 1960s, who together had participated in civil rights campaigns and anti-war protests. Having pursued separate careers and engaging in only periodic communication with each other over the decades, they suddenly receive an invitation to gather for an extended weekend at a country cabin. Struggling with the vagaries of old age, they have divergent expectations from the get-together. During the three days together, the old friends confront their inner demons, each other, and their future. They also bond through shared stories, politics, and long conversations. They realize that despite their decades of separation, they still speak the same language.
About the Author
Laura Katz Olson, AGF Distinguished Professor of Political Science, has taught at Lehigh University since 1974. To date, she has published nine nonfiction books, focusing on aging and healthcare. Her latest, Ethically Challenged: Private Equity Storms U.S. Health Care has been awarded several gold medals, including from the Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) and the Benjamin Franklin Awards. Elder Care Journey: A View from the Front Lines, which relates her personal experiences as a caregiver for her mother, won a Gold Medal in the Ninth Annual Living Now Book Awards. Wrinkled Rebels is her second novel.
Contact Links
Twitter @lauralee111
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