Hardship Alaska, shortlisted for the 2024 William Saroyan International Price in Writing, chronicles Donald Proffit’s life as a Vietnam War-era conscientious objector as he sets off on two years of exile, service, soul-searching, and self-discovery in Alaska’s rugged, unforgettable beauty.
Some memories of his two years of alternative service as a Vietnam-era conscientious objector continue to haunt Donald Proffit, aka Buzz, in unresolved conversations and partings over dinners, by front doors, in beds, and at bars. Others, however, have been exorcized completely, leaving him with a better understanding of who he was during that time, the most formative period in his life, and who he is today. Arriving in Anchorage, Alaska, on Halloween night 1970 after a ten-day transcontinental journey by car, his trek replete with a breakdown on a Yukon mountain pass, a freak snow squall on the Saskatchewan prairie, rough men in roadhouses, Soviet skaters, and good Samaritans, he realized quickly that he was no longer in Allentown, Pennsylvania. In Alaska, his world was about to change forever as he began working with children in group homes and emergency shelters; living in a church basement closet while being in the closet and pining for his first love—his straight college roommate, and spending extended time in an Iñupiaq whaling village 125 miles north of the Arctic Circle where his worldview began to take shape as he experienced the isolation of the outsider and what it means to be part of a community.
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In the tranquil town of Beachside, New Jersey, pianist Billy Pine finds solace in his music, enchanting patrons at La Péniche. But when Pierce Talon, an enigmatic chef from his past, reappears, Billy’s world is turned upside down. Drawn into the mysterious ambiance of the Sea Spray Inn, Billy is swept into a whirlwind of romance and intrigue. Pierce’s request for help in the kitchen reignites old sparks, but as summer heats up, those sparks quickly grow into flames. Thad Lambert, a renowned music director, sees Billy’s untapped potential and awakens ambitions he never dared to dream of. Yet beneath the surface, dark secrets and hidden desires threaten to unravel Billy’s carefully balanced life. When a mysterious accident rocks the hotel’s kitchen, Billy is thrust into a dangerous game of love, trust, and ambition. Teetering between the comfort of small-town life and the allure of broader horizons, Billy must confront his deepest fears and decide who truly holds the key to his heart.
The Object of His Affection is a captivating romance that delves into the power of music, the complexities of love, and the courage it takes to follow your heart. Will Billy embrace the future he’s always dreamed of, or will the shadows of the past keep him anchored in a life half-lived?
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