Bruce J. Berger On Epic City Radio!

Dear Followers — Please listen in this afternoon as Carolivia Herron interviews me on her weekly radio program, Epic City!

https://mailchi.mp/637ff36f2945/bruce-j-berger-on-epic-city-230808-4-5pm-943-fm-9611342?e=dc01ae02dc

Programs on To See God

Dear Fans,

If you are interested perhaps in setting up a program centered around To See God, I can offer you a variety of options:

1. Book club reading: I will send a set of “Book Club Questions” centering on issues of religious diversity in families, divine visions, child custody battles, and senior romances (involving, of course, my characters Helen Blanco and Nicky Covo). This program would take perhaps 90 minutes, but could be adjusted either way.

2. How imagination and research intersect in writing novels: This is part lecture, part workshop, in which I give specific prompts aimed to free the creative instincts in participants, and we share and comment on our work. This program would probably work best in a two-hour time slot.

Email me at brucejberger@aol.com if you have an interest.

Bruce

Talmudic Poems

“He Stood to Praise”

He stood to praise the minor miracle
To seek blessing at the
Coming of the new moon

When dusty from the road came upon them
Rav, the son of Shava,
Rabbi with few students

Not impressed with dust or paltry learning
Nor his lateness for prayer
Ravina did not greet

Surely a day of only small wonder
He could have said “Shalom”
Or smiled at Shava’s son

But to interrupt his words needed more
Required a better man
Someone he could respect　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　

“Seven Days Without a Dream”

Seven days without a dream
Without a trace of fire in the night
Without a visit from the heavens
I’ve been left far behind
Forgotten in the rear
While others have been
Led to safety

Seven days without a dream
Yet I’ve done the hardest studying
I’ve read ’til candles burned themselves out
My eyes teared with madness
Sated as best I could
But still my sick sleep
Has been empty.

Now what evil will befall
When God has turned His back so fully
When Divine concern has run its course
Never to return to
One who’s waited always
Burdened by fear and
Challenged for love?

　

“The Beginning of a Prayer”

So what is the beginning of a prayer
When one is bound to carry through?

If I enter Your house
Is there no retreat
Until I fast repeat
Those certain words of truth?

So where is the beginning of a prayer
That we are bound to carry through?

If we need not come in
What forces us to stay?
When must we continue
Or else say “never mind”?

So when is the beginning of a prayer
That I am bound to carry through?

If I say “Dear God, please …”
And then forget the rest
Or stumble with my thoughts
Have I sinned or floated free?

“On His Way”

On his way to pray he saw there ahead
A scaffolding swaying in the strong wind

He could cross four busy lanes of traffic
Or could walk under and hope it withstood

The force of God’s breath

Either way, the obituary would
List his name, accomplishments, and mourners

He dare not think if a prayer might spare him
He could just quickly voice his last Sh’ma

Ready for judgment

“The Grave”

I have rubbed the dirt of my father’s grave
Deeply into weary lines of my hands
Required to wield the long heaving spade
That spilled Your earth over the plain pine box
Enfolding Your creation forever

Now I am exempt from obligation
The last act of love for him replacing
The words of my daily recitation

“A New Day”

 When the hot water strikes its cleansing claws
Against the sleep spoiled pores of my body
And I am most vulnerable and bare
So that the least stray thought sprays
Into a fountain to be seen forever

And when I try to wash in purity
To begin a new day knowing that a rooster
Knows better about when to rise, and when
I say Hear O Israel silently
Reciting so as not to wake my wife

And forgo the donning of Tefillin,
Is it truly that I lie to myself?
What can be a more complete connection
To the Ultimate than to accept It
Every morning in all Its scalding force?

Great Review for To See God!

Posted on March 13, 2023 by theprairiesbookreview — Leave a comment

To See God (A Forgiveness and Faith Novel Book 3) by Bruce Berger

An elegant, provocative, and reflective tale about family and faith…

Rich in profound insights and emotional resonance, Berger’s final installment in the Forgiveness and Faith trilogy follows Theodora and Nicky, as they struggle with issues of faith and intricacies of family life respectively. Nicky Covo is happy with his life in Manhattan and his relationship with Helen Blanco. Max shares a house with his sister Kyla and his 7-year-old nephew, Jackie. The family’s peace shatters after Jackie’s long-absent father files a case to get Jackie’s custody. Meanwhile, Theodora, Nicky’s sister who is now a devout Greek Orthodox nun, plans to travel to the United States after she receives a strange message about her grand-nephew Jackie. The chapters alternate between Theodora’s growing disquiet amid her struggles with theoretical issues of belief, mystery, and prayer and Covo family’s trials and tribulations as young Jackie loses faith in his mother and uncle and begins to show signs of acute anxiety. Jackie’s father trying to get his custody adds to the family’s troubles further. Berger is a sure writer completely in control of his material. He ties these and other plot strands together with surprising twists and turns. Writing with tenderness about his characters’ dealings with pain, he delves into the issue of mental illness, trauma, and grief. Theodora’s conversations with Fevronia about her connection with the Divine are bracingly reflective and metaphysical. On the surface, this is a somber tale that explores spirituality and questions of faith. But deep down, the story is entertaining, sharply observant, and deeply moving. This thought-provoking work will speak to readers.

Recent review of The Flight of the Veil

Here are the best parts of a new Amazon review of The Flight of the Veil: Totally enjoyed. Sunk so deeply into the story and didn’t want to put it down. Love the style, the story, the intense emotions of living through war and living with the affects post war. 

The Flight of the Veil is the prequel to To See God, which will be released March 16, 2023. It can be preordered now from Black Rose Writing. Use code PREORDER2023 for a 15% discount. Here is a link: https://www.blackrosewriting.com/historicaladventure/toseegod

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The Flight of the Veil: Free Historical Fiction eBook

Indie Reader Review — 4.5 STAR == APPROVED!

THE MUSIC STALKER

By Bruce J. Berger

IR RATING:

4.5

Author Bruce J. Berger demonstrates his exceptional storytelling skills in THE MUSIC STALKER where a young classical pianist must confront real and perceived villainous influences to determine her fate. Memorable characters and strong dramatic content make this a novel worth reading.

Nothingness in Texas

Shots ring out in school

Parents plead to intervene

But put in handcuffs