Once in a while we come across books which broaden our view
of problems, delivering insight that makes the foundation for finding effective
solutions. Writers
on the Edge (Modern History Press, 2012), edited by Diana M. Raab and
James Brown, is such a book dealing with the widely prevalent problems of
addiction and dependency. In this anthology, twenty-two writers speak about
addiction and its impact on personal – physical and psychological – as well as social
life of people.
Jerry Stahl in his foreword to the book explains the often
confused meaning of the “edge”, saying that the “edge” actually is in the
middle—i.e., when you are in the middle of turmoil, it is the stage often mistakenly,
or for sake of verbal fashion, termed as the “edge”. This point is illustrated
by the mostly poignant voices of the authors included in Writers on the Edge. Their memoirs, essays, and poems open to
readers the journey through addiction, showing the gradual, often
semi-intentional slipping into dependency on a substance, habit, or lifestyle
that would ultimately stifle their growth as a person—sometimes leading to
active suicide attempts. Unlike blaming it all on the object of addiction, the
self-conscious writings here attempt to show the crevices in one’s own personality
and integrity through which the desperate need for clinging to something oozes
inside one’s being.
Individual pieces of writing in this book are brilliant and complete.
Many of these writings are painfully honest and more than a few get the reader
to a point of tenderness where the story of the writer, with all its power, replaces
the reader’s surroundings. The insights vary from the angle(s) the writers take
to explore the problem of addiction and dependency – ranging from Chase Twichell’s
cuttingly thoughtful “eyes behind the eyes” element of one’s self to Frederick
and Steven Barthelme’s grasping picture of the psychology of gambling, and Anna
David’s dreaded “beep” of failure in creative expression leading to self-destructiveness.
Writers on the Edge
is ultimately a book of hope, showing how people losing themselves to the shady
grounds of addiction do always have the choice to take control and switch their
direction to arrive at healthy, positive living. This is not a “how to” guide on
taking a U-turn from a difficult situation but a personal journey of people who
made it away from the “edge” by existential choice and self-realization; so why
not anyone else?
ISBN: 978-1615991082
