Life Begins at 50
At a time when most people are thinking about retiring in the near future and settling down, Patricia Mackintosh, an award-winning Australian writer, began an entirely new life on a different continent. When Patricia Mackintosh left her home country in August of 2002, she was leaving behind her career, family, and culture so that her husband, Ian, could accept a new job. Instead of becoming depressed about all that she left behind, Patricia decided to make the most of her new home in Virginia. Now, she is a creative writing teacher at the World Bank and has just published her first novel ? The Devil?s Madness.
The Devil?s Madness began as the thesis for Patricia Mackintosh?s Master?s Degree in Creative Writing from the University the Western Sydney, but it was not until Patricia moved to America that she had the time or motivation to get her book published. The publishing experience also has been very useful as a teaching tool in her creative writing classes at the World Bank.
?I miss our two sons, Jonathan and Luke, very much. They visited us for Christmas last year with Jon?s fianc?e, Kristie, which was great, but it?s not the same as being there with them,? says Patricia. ?My friends are very important to me, and we keep in touch by telephone and email but it?s not a good old natter over a cup of coffee, now is it? But I have made some good friends in the time I?ve been here, so I?m fortunate in that regard.?
The Devil?s Madness is a rich portrait of four friends growing up in Australia during the 1960?s and the effect the Vietnam War has on the lives of two of them, one as a soldier, the other as a conscientious objector. Patricia Mackintosh artfully balances humor and poignancy as she dwells on the themes of death, the Catholic Church, Australia?s role in the Vietnam War, and the normal trials and tribulations that everyone faces as they grow up and learn about the people and world around them. Through the eyes of Jonathan, one of the friends and primary voice of the novel, we re-discover the world again and understand the true meaning of friendship.
Patricia Mackintosh, a native of Australia, is an award-winning writer with a Master?s Degree in Creative Writing from the University of Western Sydney. After teaching at an all boys? high school in Sydney for a few years, she decided to write full-time and is the author of many short stories and the co-author of two pet care books ? Dog Log and Cat Log. Patricia is the editor of the Australians in Washington newsletter and teaches Creative Writing at the World Bank. She is a member of the Maryland Writers? Center, the Australian Society of Authors, and the New South Wales Writers? Center. Patricia lives in McLean, Virginia.
To receive a review copy of the book or to schedule an interview with Patricia Mackintosh, please contact Jennifer Hughes, publicist, at jennifer@booksintl.com or 703-443-0997.