Books

If you would like to purchase a signed copy of Gypsy Fugue or A Voice of Her Own please email Marlene for details. schiwy3@shaw.ca

Reader Comments

"Gypsy Fugue is a treasure. For me it was best read slowly, taking the time to reflect upon and absorb its riches. This book nurtures on many levels. Marlene Schiwy has shown a pathway for any of us who know we have a personal story to tell, but somehow hesitate to begin, perhaps due to a fear that we aren’t “interesting” enough, or skilled enough as writers to create something of our own. Don’t we all have a story to tell and voices deep within that long to be heard? Our stories may not be told as skillfully, but she inspires us to discover them, and just perhaps, to write, paint or dance them. Marlene has taken her life experiences, her Jungian and other academic studies, her struggles to declare her own authenticity, her dreams, and her curiosity about an image that has pervaded her life (the archetypal gypsy), and she has woven those many threads into a fascinating memoir. She has the courage to take seriously a deep image within, and not only explore it over decades, landscapes and milieu, but then to share her very personal insights with the reader. She has given us a very fine gift in the publication of this book. Read and savour it." (SC)

"Marlene Schiwy's Gypsy Fugue is a book of levels, depths and realms portraying the inner and outer life so vividly, passionately and intimately that you will want to discover such juicy richness in your own life. With years of scholarly and personal research, Marlene grounds the reader in the historical and current reality of the Roma with great care and respect. At the same time, she reveals the gypsy as a personal image that has been present in her life from earliest memory, and also explores the gypsy as universal archetype, weaving these multiple layers throughout. To read this memoir is to be midwifed into a new and unexpected world, possibly to be overtaken by an irrepressible curiosity and urge to unearth the personal and universal images in your own story and to partner with your imagination. This archetypal memoir is pure transmission, from soul to soul and heart to heart. Reading Gypsy Fugue, I found myself at once earthbound and at sea, fired up with memories mostly forgotten, flying over unique and hidden lands, and transported through spheres of images, sounds and senses both known and unknown. Closing the book, breathless and having barely landed, I felt inspired and renewed, the symbolic life finally meaningful and anchored, begging for attention and form. Through this passion-textured tapestry, the portal to the imaginal opened its generous arms into mystery, grace and hope. Human and transpersonal, this book dances in my bones and sings through my heart.” (ML)

"What a unique and engaging approach to memoir - this book captured my imagination in multiple ways. This book is like a swiss army knife of a book - for me it was a combination of a memoir, a personal development book and a spiritual guide. I loved reading about the author's own archetypal journey and I was fascinated by the incidental teachings about the history of Roma people as well as tidbits of Jungian psychology that were shared as the story unfolded. At the same time it prompted a gentle curiosity about my own life - what archetypal images have informed and influenced me? What stories do I have about my life that I am seeing in a whole new way now? In that way it feels like a wise and reflective antidote to the ubiquitous "fix-your-life" self-help books that shout at us. I read Schiwy's first book, A Voice of Her Own, many years ago (and recommend that one, too) and this book feels like the full circle embodiment of the reflective life she invited us into in that first book.” (LR)

“I am writing for two reasons. The first one is that I want to tell you that I have read A Voice of Her Own many times and it never fails to speak to me on a profound level. I am in the process of rereading it for the first time in about 10 years and it is such familiar territory, and yet, still contains revelations. I should say here that I very rarely read a book more than once. I think A Gift from the Sea is the only one I've read maybe as much as yours. Thank you for what I can only imagine was a tremendous effort. It has truly been a lantern in my darkest hours, and now, a companion in my joy.”  (FK)

“Your books are excellent, truly among my favourites. I have just finished reading Simple Days for the second time. The first time I read it in a long gulping binge; this time I’ve savoured and underlined and reflected on many phrases and whole paragraphs that deeply resonate with my own life. I was encouraged to find another woman who has embraced the simple pleasure of this life: love of family, good home cooking, and living each day following your heart’s desire and passion. Your book is unique because it dramatizes the elements of a successful life. It isn’t a “how-to” book, but one remarkable woman’s life laid bare for all of us to see. I admire your courage to keep your own vision at the core of your life, not allowing yourself to be blinded by what other people expect of you. Your writing style is inspiring and beautiful, and I wish you many more full and lovely simple days to come! Thank you so much for your spirit that speaks through your pages and for doing this writing.”  (LB)