HARRISON — Outskirts Press Inc. has published “Turn Left at the Daisies: A Memoir” by E. Deschambeault of Harrison.

In the book, set in 1961, a small-town WASP girl strives to protect her unborn baby and her honor in a conflict between her abusive sea captain father and her ambitious young lover, who is determined to become a writer.

When Ann becomes pregnant, nothing is clearer than that she cannot turn to her family. She hides with Joseph in his university town and then in Puerto Rico; they pretend to be married. Tasting the sweetness of young life together, they struggle with visions of a future as parents that would accommodate Joseph’s aspiration to succeed.

The task is too great. Questions of character, capacity for love and tolerance, and readiness for parenthood remain unanswered. Unable to reconcile family attitudes and their own differences, and to take what they know to be the honorable course, they see changes come about in themselves caused by guilt and resentment.

Joseph must make his way alone. Ann releases their baby for adoption. Haunted by the echoes of their decision, Joseph and Ann part, each heading toward an unexpected future. The past is always with us — will Ann find redemption, or will she be forever trapped in regret for what might have been?

This honest, poignant memoir will take you on a vivid, achingly real journey to the painful tipping-point of a world before the advent of feminism and social change.

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Elizabeth Deschambeault has worked as an administrative assistant and high school teacher in the U.S. In Germany, she worked as an office manager, as well as teaching translating and English and German for foreigners.

Returned to New England, she lives in the country where, with her partner, she has restored old houses and has been a backyard farmer and bee keeper. Currently she enjoys spending time with family and gardening on her woodlot in Maine.

The 6×9 black and white paperback, in the biography and autobiography/personal memoirs category, is available worldwide on book retailer websites such as Amazon and Barnes & Noble for a suggested retail price of $18.95. The webpage at www.outskirtspress.com/TurnLeftattheDaisies was launched simultaneously with the book’s publication.

For more information or to contact the author, visit www.outskirtspress.com/TurnLeftattheDaisies.


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