Gertrude's Guilt

By Dolores Edwards
Regular price $26.00
Select

Do not punish the son for the sins of the father. Cultural guilt becomes a burden for youths in the modern world. It lives beneath a bitter woman’s behavior to her neighbors. It becomes a learned behavior. The bitterness and guilt leads to the sins of war, terrorism, genocide, and xenophobia. It exists as a global pandemic—fear and bitterness caused the genocide of Native Americans, the Jews during Nazi occupation of Europe and countless other cultures in the history of mankind.

But, what happens when worlds collide and individuals have the chance to learn of each other’s parallel stories?

When a young Irish woman from a conservative family finds herself with child, she strikes out on her own in America. At least, she thought she’d be on her own. Instead, she finds herself traveling with friends—old and new. Her friends from Ireland have the chance to overcome histories of abuse and create their own stories, as well as meet new loves. Along the way, they meet men and women of different cultures, who are all burdened by their own cultural pasts.

About the Author

Dolores Edwards has written two off off Broadway plays. “Look Past the Knees” is a play about Vietnam and the effects of war on the mothers left behind. “Inheritance” is a play about teenagers and how their lives are transformed by a disabled adult.

Dolores has worked in state prisons and high schools. She is now retired and currently an adjunct professor at Nassau Community College in Garden City, NY.

Following the death of her son, Dolores started a foundation at the college called Brian’s Kitchen. The foundation provides nourishment to football players and encourages awareness of testicular cancer. 10,000 males (as young as 15) are diagnosed annually in the U.S. alone. Her son was diagnosed at thirty-seven and died six months later. Most young men are not aware of this cancer. Dolores seeks to bring awareness on par with breast cancer awareness in women.

Reviews

Gertrude’s Guilt parodies an entwined psychological and existential suffering guilt ridden migrants endure. Awash in self-recrimination and unwanted and unmerited remorse Irish Catholics travel to the Hamptons seeking to recreate a better life for themselves and transcend the bitterness that imprisons their souls. Along the way they meet like-minded victims from every culture and walk of life. Their journey results in discussions and encounters with guilt carriers like themselves – Germans, Italians, Blacks, Jews -each with their own story and their own guilt. Delores Edwards lays bare the source of guilt, identifies it in all its ethnic and cultural dispositions, dissects it, and dissolves it in a fictional but all too true tale. It should give thought to both the victims and perpetrators of this affliction.

Published: 2020
Page Count: 112

Customer Reviews

Based on 5 reviews
80%
(4)
20%
(1)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
C
Cory
What dwells in the “caves of our memories”? From birth to death, have we noticed all the baggage ...

I loved this book!

A
Audrey
Gertrude's Guilt

I thoroughly enjoyed reading Gertrude's Guilt by Dolores Edwards. It is a special story with a wide cast of characters. The story begins in Ireland and ends in NY. Each character has his/her own story and circumstances. Each character develops and grows. Past dilemmas and future opportunities are explored. Especially important is the promise of America. The freedom in America has in the past and should continue in the future to provide opportunities to those who need it. This book is an especially important read during these challenging times.

J
Joseph Volker, Ph.D.
GUILT

Gertrude’s Guilt parodies the entwined psychological and existential suffering the guilt ridden endure. Awash in self-recrimination and unwanted and unmerited remorse, Irish Catholic migrants travel to the Hamptons seeking to recreate a better life for themselves and transcend the bitterness that imprisons their souls. Along the way they meet like-minded victims from every culture and walk of life. On their journey they share their pain with those who like themselves – Germans, Italians, Blacks, Jews – have their own story to tell. Delores Edwards lays bare the source of guilt, identifies its many ethnic and cultural dispositions, dissects it and dissolves it in a fictional but all too true tale. It should give thought to both the victims and perpetrators of this affliction.

L
Lynn pagano
Gertrude's guilt

Thoroughly enjoyed this book. The characters were all so colorful! My favorite was Helen. To me it was a feel good story. The characters had terrible things in their past, but looked forward to their bright futures together in America.

L
Lorol Allegra
[****]

Gertrudes Guilt is a bravely written novel that immediately tackles contemporary issues we face today. From racism to misogeny, abortion to sexual abuse, the characters immediately must deal with situations and choices that will impact the quality of their young lives. The reader gets the feeling that the author herself has walked in her protagonists shoes shoes and has come out the other side. This thoughtfully written book provides an impactful voice to the under represented men and women in our country who have come from all over the world. Dolores Edwards has courageously expressed the dark side of humanity while shining the light at possibilities.