Barry Ivker Releases DEAR SAMUEL

From the same author that graced the literary world with gems as the "Jewish Reel", "Promise Land," "Sonata in F# Minor" and "Out of the Depths" comes yet another work of extraordinary appeal. Barry Ivker returns to the literary scene with "Dear Samuel" (published by Xlibris), a novel written in epistolary style that candidly explores how a man's past undermines his sense of self.

"Dear Samuel" focuses on the struggle of a native son to deal with his own heritage in the light of the struggle for civil rights in his hometown. The protagonist, Dwayne, strives to integrate his father's racist ideology and his mother's death with his own sense of justice and his own sexuality which gradually destroys him in the process.

Set during the height of civil rights struggle in Birmingham from 1959-1971, it offers a mental landscape of this historic period in American history and an evaluative comparison of how far things had changed in the last 50 years. Racial relations is central to the theme, deftly explored with the author's striking attention for detail and uncanny literary wit.

Ivker hopes to influence his readers to reflect on their own values and raise awareness of the social issues that continue to plague a modern American society.

"Dear Samuel"
By Barry Ivker
Hardcover | 6x9in | 296 pages | ISBN 9781503593657
Softcover | 6x9in | 296 pages | ISBN 9781503593664
E-Book | 296 pages | ISBN 9781503593671
Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble

About the Author
In addition to writing fiction, Barry Ivker writes poetry, children's stories, plays and scholarly works in the fields of literature and psychotherapy. His collages were exhibited at the Museum of Art in New Orleans and other venues. He plays piano/harpsichord and has performed as a member of several ensembles and as a soloist. He chants cantorial music and sings with the Alabama Symphony Choir. He dances to international folk, Contra and Cajun music. He maintains a part-time practice as a clinical social worker. Previous publications include three volumes of poetry (Jewish Reel, Promised Land and Sonata in F# Minor.,) a Passover Haggadah with 111 original illustrations and an Annotated Anthology of 17th and 18th Century French Libertine Fiction. He is married to Frances Barbara, a practicing gynecologist. They have three children and nine grandchildren.

Xlibris Publishing, an Author Solutions, LLC imprint, is a self-publishing services provider created in 1997 by authors, for authors. By focusing on the needs of creative writers and artists and adopting the latest print-on-demand publishing technology and strategies, we provide expert publishing services with direct and personal access to quality publication in hardcover, trade paperback, custom leather-bound and full-color formats. To date, Xlibris has helped to publish more than 60,000 titles. For more information, visit xlibris.com or call 1-888-795-4274 to receive a free publishing guide. Follow us @XlibrisPub on Twitter for the latest news.

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