Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Brooklyn Writer Brings Family Lore to Life in Second Novel

Amy Shearn of Brooklyn

Brooklyn author Amy Shearn took a bit of her family history and transformed it and enlarged it into her second novel, which will be launched in Park Slope on Tuesday April 2, at 7pm at the powerHouse on 8th.  An additional book launching will take place on April 14th at the Lark CafĂ© in Ditmas Park at 6pm.  

The book, entitled “The Mermaid of Brooklyn” is based on the story of Shearn’s grandmother, Jenny Lipkin, which is also the name of the heroine of the book. The real-life Lipkin was forced to support her family on
her own, without the assistance of her absentee husband. The fictional Lipkin is faced with similar difficulties.

The character is a former magazine editor who is married to a gambler who disappears one day. She is now faced with the prospect of supporting her family on her own in a Park-Slope walk-up. Jenny is overwhelmed with her responsibilities, becomes desperate, but eventually finds her strength with the aid of a magical mermaid.