The Apple

In The Year of the Rabbit, the apple appears many times - mostly as a symbol of innocence and discovery.  It leads Sera through thoughts of life after death then the accidental revelation of her true paternal origin.  There is another scene where its innocent influences cannot prevent Sera from acting on uncontrollable rage.  

Enjoy! 

Another Public Reading for the Rabbit

On Wednesday June 29th, "Florence" made an appearance at the Ottawa Independent Writers Reading Night at the LAC.  

I had to alter the text that I read aloud from my novel in order to hide the identity of the corpse in the "murder scene".  Are we intrigued yet?  Some people were! 

After my reading, I sat at the back of the room listening to the others.  As I gazed out one of the large windows into the dimming daylight, I noticed a patchy brown rabbit nibbling grass in one of the flowerbeds.  I was excited to bring it to the attention of my seating companion.  He responded with a smile and whispered the title of my novel.

I don't know why I would become excited at discovering this little mammal - although it was a lovely coincidence.  It's not like there are any live rabbits represented in the story.  The only ones referred to are those that appear in drawings, paintings at the Red Hare restaurant and a native boy's dream. The rabbit reference is more about the Chinese Zodiac character.   It refers to young Sera Fletcher's unique coping methods after losing a friend in 1974 then gaining a newborn nephew in 1975.  She creates a connection to the baby's birth in the same Zodiac year as her own and uses it as a sign of hope.  Little does she know that she would eventually -- (Oops. I have said too much already).     
 

During a lull in the readings, one member agreed to my request for a book exchange.  He gladly traded a copy of his children's book for a copy of The Year of the Rabbit.  I had to warn him that mine was NOT a book for children.  

Another member was very interested in reading and purchasing the book but did not have cash on hand.  I graciously advanced him a copy for his summer reading and we agreed on payment at a later date.  I trust him.  Besides, I know where he lives...


Do you want a taste of the Rabbit?  (in a word sense, that is...)

• Venture down the Rabbit hole (the novel's domain)
• Follow Florence T Lyon on Twitter (Please Retweet my request to convince a certain English Literature High Honours Graduate to read her mother's book. The agreed-upon condition was that she would only do so after it had sold 100 copies) 
• Read some excerpts
• Please Like the Rabbit on the Facebook Fan Page
• Buy the book

Thanks for dropping by!  

T

Follow the Rabbit

On Friday, June 24th, The Year of the Rabbit had a quiet, public debut.  You can read about the public speaking adventures in the Deep Blonde Thoughts blog.

"Florence" will perform another reading at an event on June 29th.  

Do you want a taste of the Rabbit?  (in a word sense, that is...)

• Venture down the Rabbit hole (the novel's domain)
• Follow Florence T Lyon on Twitter
• Like the Rabbit on Facebook!
• Read some excerpts

Thanks for hopping by!  

T

No Stranger to Trains

In The Year of the Rabbit, readers will encounter the mention of trains.  Yes, the towering Canadian Pacific Rail trestle over the Seguin River had an influence on my own childhood in the 1970s and on the lovable character, Sera Fletcher.

For Sera, trains passed through giving children something to observe with counting their boxcars and an opportunity to wave at passengers. It was a treat if somebody saw you and waved back.  Trains also took people away and left lonely gaps in her life. 

I have a fondness for trains as a preferred form of land transportation. I look forward to taking more trips around my province, into Quebec and some day... a romantic journey across Canada.  In the meantime, I will have to be satisfied by catching the occasional story or movie with a train theme.  

Thank you for reading this far.  Sample some excerpts from the novel.   Buy the book :o)

T