Carnival Lights


Book Description

Minnesota Book Awards 2022 -- Finalist in Novel & Short Story "Fluid in time and place, Carnival Lights flows between one past and another, offering a heartbreaking portrait of multigenerational trauma in the lives of one Ojibwe family. This tapestry of stories is beautifully woven and gut-wrenching in its effect. Read it, and it may change you forever." -- William Kent Krueger, New York Times Bestselling author Blending fiction and fact, Carnival Lights ranges from reverie to nightmare and back again in a lyrical yet unflinching story of an Ojibwe family's struggle to hold onto their land, their culture, and each other. Carnival Lights is a timely book for a country in need of deep healing. In August 1969, two teenage Ojibwe cousins, Sher and Kris, leave their northern Minnesota reservation for the lights of Minneapolis. The girls arrive in the city with only $12, their grandfather's WWII pack, two stainless steel cups, some face makeup, gum, and a lighter. But it's the ancestral connections they are also carrying - to the land and trees, to their family and culture, to love and loss - that shapes their journey most. As they search for work, they cross paths with a gay Jewish boy, homeless white and Indian women, and men on the prowl for runaways. Making their way to the Minnesota State Fair, the Indian girls try to escape a fate set in motion centuries earlier. Set in a summer of hippie Vietnam War protests and the moon landing, Carnival Lights also spans settler arrival in the 1800s, the creation of the reservation system, and decades of cultural suppression, connecting everything from lumber barons' mansions to Nazi V-2 rockets to smuggler's tunnels in creating a narrative history of Minnesota. "Fluid in time and place, Carnival Lights flows between one past and another, offering a heartbreaking portrait of multigenerational trauma in the lives of one Ojibwe family, this tapestry of stories is beautifully woven and gut-wrenching in its effect. Read it, and it may change you forever." -- William Kent Krueger, New York Times Best Selling Author "Chris Stark's newest novel explores the evolution of violence experienced by Native women. Simultaneously graphic and gentle, Carnival Lights takes the reader on a daunting journey through generations of trauma, crafting characters that are both vulnerable and resilient." -- Sarah Deer, (Mvskoke), Distinguished Professor, University of Kansas, MacArthur Genius Award Recipient "Carnival Lights is a heartbreaking wonder of gorgeous prose and urgent story. It propels the reader at a breathless pace as history crashes down on the readers as much as it does on the book's vivid characters. The author's brilliant heart restores their dignity and via the realm of imagination, brings them home." -- Mona Susan Power, author of The Grass Dancer, a PEN/Hemingway Winner "It's not every day that one is given an inimitable gift of truth. Carnival Lights is that gift. The history books that we've all read throughout time were purposely devoid of the realities of decades of Native genocide, attempts to eradicate our culture, and the horrendous effects of the boarding school era-trauma that continues to permeate the American Indian communities today. Carnival Lights is an opportune story of how two young girls navigate these lived experiences and provides a veracity that will reach deep into your heart, creating a newfound reflection of the actualities of this historical trauma. Chris Stark, a skilled narrative artist, once again engenders storytelling that ingeniously weaves multi-generational authenticities for not only the Native communities, but also as reflected for so many others. It's time for all of us to embrace this gift of truth." -- Deb Foster, Anishinaabe, MS-MFT Executive Director for the Ain Dah Yung Center, a meeting place for American Indian homeless youth and families "There are so many moods and story currents running through this wonder of a novel that I can attribute to individual women whose lives experiences run parallel to Stark's many characters. The two female adolescences in this novel take us to high and low heights, just like a carnival ride. It's overwhelming, irrational and dangerous, and there is no one to help, just as it has been for Indigenous people from the moment colonizers stepped foot on this continent of Turtle Island. Carnival Lights is powerful storytelling. Indigenous ancestors are persistently returning, so as not to be forgotten in death and memory, and Stark puts the reader right in the center of their pain and struggles." -- Mary K. Kunesh, Minnesota Senator, Standing Rock Lakota descendant, chair of Minnesota Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women taskforce "Carnival Lights is a powerful story of resilience, an emotional rollercoaster ride and an expression of the raw truth of multigenerational trauma. Sher, a lesbian and protector, or what we call 'two-spirit, ' is particularly connected with the old ways." -- Lenny Hayes, Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate, and Two-Spirit activist "Chris Stark weaves Native spirituality throughout Carnival Lights from the 1960s, before the Religious Freedom Act of 1978. We will lay under a fern, waiting for a drop of water to fall from the tip of the leaf with Em, feel the freedom of fleeing abuse with Kris and get to know the protector Sher who watches over Kris like a wolf. Carnival Lights reminds us that we are not alone, and we are watched over by ones we would have never known or seen if it were not for this desperate moment we are in right now. Chris Stark reminds us how important our teachings are, how our memories can comfort us in our darkest hour when we need it the most. Chris draws us into the inspiration and comfort provided to the characters at times guiding their next move." -- Babette Sandman, Ojibwe elder, White Earth Nation enrolled citizen living in Duluth "Chris Stark has done a beautiful job of incorporating this story of cousins; Sher and Kristin, within a historical and cultural narrative. The trauma that they experience is a familiar tale for many of us. I did not just read this story.... I felt this story and I journeyed with Sher and Kristin in all directions, and through many emotions. The connection to the story of Native women today is clear and brilliantly written. Chi miigwetch, Chris!" -- Nicole Matthews, ED of Minnesota Indian Women's Sexual Assault Coalition, White Earth Anishinaabe Learn more at www.ChristineStark.com From Modern History Press




Carnival Lights


Book Description




Carnival Lights


Book Description

Carnival Lights is a collection of poems dealing with childhood, a crisis of faith, a marriage and its dissolution, and the search for something more.




Carnival in Lights


Book Description




The Cursed Carnival


Book Description

One night, a wonderful event took place in Willow Creek, a quiet neighborhood. The carnival came out of nowhere, and all the kids in the neighborhood turned their heads to see it. It was full of bright lights and fun things to do. But this wasn't your average carnival—it hid a dangerous secret. It was cursed and could take people to a different world that was far away from their own. There were four brave friends named Alex, Bella, Charlie, and Dana. They were all interested. They chose to go to this interesting carnival together even though they didn't know what troubles would come up. They knew what they had to do: end the spell and set everyone free. They quickly learned that this trip would test them in ways they hadn't thought of when they first walked into the fair. To break the curse, they had to get through the tasks and trials in each game, ride, and tent. There was more to it than just having fun at the carnival. They had to use all of their bravery, cleverness, and teamwork to solve a real-life puzzle. The friends had to show how brave they were by riding a ghost train, figuring out mystery clowns' puzzles, and getting through mirror mazes. Every problem they solved brought them closer together despite their differences, which made their friendship stronger. As they went around the fair, they learned how important it is to work together and support each other. They learned that friendship was more than just having fun. It was about helping each other through fear and uncertainty and using their own skills to get through tough times. Thanks to their hard work and commitment, they finally found the source of the carnival's curse. By facing the magician's ghost and showing how strong their relationship is, they were able to break the curse and free themselves and the carnival-goers. Their story became a tale in Willow Creek, showing what can happen when brave and smart friends work together. Although the mysterious carnival is no longer there, the lessons it taught Alex, Bella, Charlie, and Dana about being brave and working together would always be with them, shining like carnival lights. Chapter 1: A Strange Arrival. In Willow Creek, a village where things were getting better every day, something amazing took place, and everyone was thrilled. Imagine waking up to find a carnival on the edge of town that just popped out of nowhere. But this wasn't your average fair. It had rides that seemed to go up into the sky, bright lights that twinkled like a million stars, and the delicious smell of popcorn that made your mouth water just thinking about it. It had turns and twists that didn't make sense, like something from a book or a dream. In the town, Dana, Charlie, Bella, and Alex stood out as friends. What kind of friends were these? The kind that are always looking for the next cool thing to do and are truly interested in new things. Because of this, they were interested in finding out more about the fair after hearing about it. Nobody in their town knew about it—not a single person. This made them wonder how it got there. A mystery that interested them and offered a fun time that they couldn't refuse. They chose to go together because trips were always more fun with friends. They were getting more and more excited inside as they got closer to the fair. Up close, the brighter lights, lively ride music, and excited yells and laughing from people who had already come made the carnival look like the happiest place on earth. The friends looked at each other and knew that this would be an amazing meeting. As soon as they walked into the fair, the sights and sounds shocked them. There were games with gifts for people who could win them, rides that threw people forward and backward, and stands with all kinds of snacks. It was a crazy, exciting dream come true for everyone. As they looked around, though, they noticed some small problems and a mysterious air that made them wonder what secrets the circus was hiding. The friends decided to stick together and check out every game, ride, and corner of the fair to find out what was really going on with its strange look. The excitement of the journey made them feel better, gave them courage, and made them want to learn more. Even though they didn't know it yet, they were about to go on an adventure they could never have imagined. A trip that would put their relationship to the test, make them braver, and show them what the real draw was about the carnival that showed up out of the blue in Willow Creek's quiet town. Chapter 2: The First Signs. Alex, Bella, Charlie, and Dana knew right away that something was wrong when they walked into the fair. Going to this place is always fun and enjoyable, but this time it was even better. Instead, there was a strange feeling in the air, like a quiet but noticeable buzz. It was clear that this was not a normal fair trip because the hair on their arms stood on end. The people who ran the rides and events didn't do anything extra to acknowledge the kids. They looked like they were just going through the motions and not paying attention to the people around them, even though they were there. It looked like they were thinking about something else. At the fair, the friends did everything they could to have fun. When they rode the Ferris wheel, it lifted them high into the air and let them see the whole carnival lit up below. When seen from that high up, it should have been fun, but something felt off. When they got on the roller coaster, the fast speeds, twists, and turns made their stomachs jump to their throats with joy. Most of the time, the best part would have been laughing and screaming with joy as they watched the roller coaster race down the tracks. They tried hard to enjoy the high, but they couldn't get rid of the uncomfortable feeling that something wasn't right. There was no easy way to explain this. The rides worked well, the food smelled great, and the events were fun. But it looked like a thin layer of mystery covered everything, making the bright lights look less bright and the happy music sound a little less happy. They looked at each other to see if everything was in their heads. But the way their friends reacted showed them that everyone else felt the same way. All of them seemed to agree that something was amiss and needed to be fixed. They weren't scared by this information; in fact, it interested them. In their core, they were daring individuals. So, they kept looking for more signs that would help them figure out why this fair felt so different from the others. Was it just that the staff seemed to be lost in their own thoughts? Or was there something else going on that the laughter and music were hiding? Their goal was to find out the truth. Little things that didn't seem right became clear to them as they went from game to game and ride to ride. Some sounds seemed to come from nowhere, and there was a feeling of being watched. With each new finding, they became more determined. They were sure they were going to find something important. Something that would explain the strange feeling they'd had at the fair from the start. They were ready to learn more about the mystery, and their friendship and bravery would help them.




A Carnival of Lights


Book Description

A Carnival of Lights is a reflection of the monstrance itself, containing the Blessed Sacrament from which emanates the Light of Christ. Rogers shows this in staged segments; the reader goes from an awareness of the darker side of the human existence to the beginning, a complete awareness of Christ, filled with hopefulness, optimism and radiance.




A Choir of Ill Children


Book Description

BONUS: This edition contains an excerpt from Tom Piccirilli's The Last Kind Words. This lyrical tale of evil, loss, and redemption is a stunning addition to the Southern gothic tradition of Flannery O’Connor and Harry Crews. A Choir of Ill Children is the startling story of Kingdom Come, a decaying, swamp backwater that draws the lost, ill-fated, and damned. Since his mother’s disappearance and his father’s suicide, Thomas has cared for his three brothers—conjoined triplets with separate bodies but one shared brain—and the town’s only industry, the Mill. Because of his family’s prominence, Thomas is feared and respected by the superstitious swamp folk. Granny witches cast hexes while Thomas’s childhood sweetheart drifts through his life like a vengeful ghost and his best friend, a reverend suffering from the power of tongues, is overcome with this curse as he tries to warn of impending menace. All Thomas learns is that “the carnival is coming.” Torn by responsibility and rage, Thomas must face his tormented past as well as the mysterious forces surging toward the town he loves and despises.




Incarnality


Book Description

Rod Jellema has been writing and publishing poems for over thirty years. His work during that time has been described as bursting with raw poetic talent. In this beautifully shaped compilation, readers will find the best poems from Jellema s four previous collections along with a new grouping of poems appropriately titled Still . Though ranging widely in subject, these poems are all united by Jellema s point of view and his ability to explore, with both pathos and comedy, the stabs of joy that leap from deep inside a fallen world of redeemed, incarnate things.







The Fighter


Book Description

A blistering novel of violence and deliverance set against the mythic backdrop of the Mississippi Delta. The acres and acres of fertile soil, the two-hundred-year-old antebellum house, all gone. And so is the woman who gave it to Jack, the foster mother only days away from dying, her mind eroded by dementia, the family legacy she entrusted to Jack now owned by banks and strangers. And Jack's mind has begun to fail, too. The decades of bare-knuckle fighting are now taking their toll, as concussion after concussion forces him to carry around a stash of illegal painkillers and a notebook of names that separates friend from foe. But in a single twisted night, Jack loses his chance to win it all back. Hijacked by a sleazy gambler out to settle a score, Jack is robbed of the money that will clear his debt with Big Momma Sweet -- the queen of Delta vice, whose deep backwoods playground offers sin to all those willing to pay -- and open a path that could lead him back home. Yet this sudden reversal of fortunes introduces an unlikely savior in the form of a sultry, tattooed carnival worker. Guided by what she calls her "church of coincidence," Annette pushes Jack toward redemption, only to discover that the world of Big Momma Sweet is filled with savage danger. Damaged by regret, crippled by twenty-five years of fists and elbows, heartbroken by his own betrayals, Jack is forced to step into the fighting pit one last time, the stakes nothing less than life or death. With the raw power and poetry of a young Larry Brown and the mysticism of Cormac McCarthy, Michael Farris Smith cements his place as one of the finest writers in the American literary landscape.