Delmarva Today: 3-9-21

Wilson’s guest on Delmarva Today is Cécile Barlier to discuss her new book of short stories The Gypsy’s Book of Revelation. Barlier was born in France and received her master’s Degree from the Sorbonne University in Paris. She has lived for over 20 years in the United States and has published extensively in English including in the Delmarva Review. Barlier has also been nominated for the Pushcart Prize three times.

 Her short stories are fantastic. They bring to mind author E.L Doctorow’s comment that the ultimate responsibility of the writer is to witness. The narrators in Barlier’s stories, even those in first person, appear to be telling us something they have witnessed, testifying to events, if you would. Even as the story teller is involved in those events, there is something of a separation from what is happening or has happened. The reflections of the narrators also seem to be made from a point of witness. It’s powerful writing with a directness that compels the involvement of the reader.

 Barlier’s The Gypsy’s Book of Revelation offers a group of stories fascinating in their expression of the human experience. Forbidden love, the strange attraction of a boy Priest, alienation from the common sense of community, a chat with dead relatives on a plane home after a long absence, a woman who evolves into a fish before the eyes of a young girl, and many more all beautifully written challenge our traditional way of seeing and experiencing the world. 

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