Alexandria was the city where Jim Saltis was born, grew up and finally left in January 1949, without hatred or wickedness. One night, after his divorce in 1988, when sleep was minimal and agitated, Jim decided to put some exploitation to insomnia and started writing his first book, titled Mrs Stamata.
Many years have been logged since then, before the author finally went back to the skeletal book to turn it into a novel. The book, which includes the writer’s own empirical experiences and fantasies that dwell between his perpetually moving brain and his invisible soul, are now bound together under the title Blessings, Curses and Exorcisms, to be launched on Sunday 31 August.
“The people you will encounter in this novel have lived their sojourn on this planet. Even the prodigal and very beautiful Flora (Madeline), who was lucky to experience true life from Milton.
“I gave Sofia a happy ending after the untimely departure of her husband Alecos. Stamata died a long time ago but she carries on living as a ghost in the Greek section of the cemetery at Chatby while waiting for the Second Coming of Jesus,” the author explains.
The book takes place in the Alexandrine district and it includes words from the different languages that the Europeans used including Arabic.
“These days, all of us who were born in the magical city of Alexandria live dispersed on the hospitable planet. We have travelled on new seas and flown over skies and countries we have learned from our geography books. We have comfortably settled and now enjoy leisurely existences in our old age. Yet are always grateful that we were born in Egypt.”
The launch of the book Blessings, Curses and Exorcisms, by Jim Saltis, will be hosted by The League of Greeks from Egypt and Middle East, EEAMA, in collaboration with The Greek Australian Cultural League.
The book will be presented by the well known and acclaimed Alexandrian poet and artist, Nikos Nomikos. Refreshments will be provided at the end of the proceedings.
The book launch will be held on Sunday 31 August, at 3.00 pm, at the Stars International reception centre, 1C Bell Street, Preston. For more information, visit http://gaclmelbourne.com/g/jim-saltis-book-launch/
