Shawn Irvin Manning is the author of Rotting Man Goes to Town, which was written in La Porte, Indiana; and Tucson, Arizona, in 2009–2010. This work is autobiographical in nature, and though written almost as a journal, stylistically it is a novel. Born in 1952, Shawn graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in Dallas in 1970. From 1970-76, she was involved in the Jesus Movement, working as a writer for New Wave Publishing Company in Texas. She received her degree in art, in the area of ceramics from the University of Dallas in 1988. Her Master’s degree in visual culture was from what is now Bath Spa University, formerly known as Bath College of Higher Education. She completed her work for a Ph.D. in creative writing at University of Wales Lampeter in 2005–2010. Manning currently lives in Bath, England, with her husband, John. She has five sons and a stepson.
Rotting Man Goes to Town deals with an adult relationship; which is in deep trauma from the outset of the story. Its technique is predominately dual narration, going from him to her vantage points. There are two sides to every story. Some of the language is hard-hitting, with angry scenes or mindsets, including some swearing. Political incorrectness exists in parts. The emotions are raw. It is a compelling and authentic read. It begins badly. How will it end?The initial setting is in America, with flashbacks to Britain, meant to counter the: hurt, sadness and anger, by the use of the device of injecting past comedic episodes. Levity and tragedy are seen in animal antics. Thus, the humorous scenes are meant to bring a balance to the novel overall.With the exception of the animals’ names, which remain true, all human names have been changed.
This hugely entertaining tale begins in the south of the USA in 1958. The novel is part memoir. Fact and fiction coalesce as the family embarks upon a life-changing journey. The dynamics of family life is what gives the narrative momentum. Names have been altered. The story line follows the adult memory of the author. It captures the idea of memory and the mythical self. The main character, Georgina Jane O’Shaughnessy, is a small, quiet child. How can such a person be mythical? Be legendary? As the story unfolds, the reader will discover how this can be.
Stream of consciousness is used in several interludes, some of which hearken back to the mindset leading to the War Between the States in the 1860s. Parts are written in the omniscient third person. Throughout the novel, memory recovers sights, sounds, tastes and attitudes long gone. During the time in which the novel is set, America was on the brink of enormous social change, and at the end of the story, the girl sees a vision of new horizons and exciting potential.
The landscape of America is described with awe. The child is impressed with the sights she sees and remains in a state of wonder throughout the story. She discovers the aurora borealis one cold night with her grandmother and siblings as they stand and shiver in the snow. She notices the Alaskan wildlife.
Her voice encapsulates a bubble of time, a time long past. Memories are a repository of a wealth of information and become a springboard for ideas about the life of a little girl taking on flesh through the power of words and her child-like gaze.
Austin Macauley are one of the fastest-growing publishers, striving hard to give authors the best chance of succeeding in an increasingly crowded market. With headquarters in London, New York and Sharjah, Austin Macauley Publishers™ have established themselves as an energetic and innovative independent trade publishers.
+44 (0) 207 038 8212
+44 (0) 203 515 0352
mail@austinmacauley.com
Austin Macauley Publishers™ Ltd.
1 Canada Square, Canary Wharf,
London, E14 5AA
United Kingdom
