The Ellsworth American - Deer Isle Artist Is a Charming Player of Words

Deer Isle Artist Is a Charming Player of Words

Written by Carl Little

Thursday, June 28, 2007

DEER ISLE — The tradition of small-size small press books is a time-honored one, and Maine authors and publishers are consistently adding to the rich mix.

Brenda Gilchrist

Poet Gary Lawless’s recent “Cuban Heart,” for example, offers a dialogue in verse between himself and Manuel Alberto Garcia Alonso from Trinidad, Cuba, sister city to Brunswick, Maine. It’s the slimmest of productions — 12 pages plus cover — with the largest of messages: “You cannot embargo the human heart.”

In a decidedly lighter vein, Brenda Gilchrist’s collection of five illustrated booklets, gathered in a handsome slipcase under the title “Opuscula” (which means minor works, usually of a literary nature), offers a lively assortment of word play. Its own directive to the reader might be: you cannot deny the punster.

Gilchrist, of Deer Isle, is a charmer with language, willing to risk the silliest jeu de mot to trigger the funny bone. A poetic tribute to peas ends with “Peevishly, I say: Go in peas/into the pot!” while “Beets” concludes thusly: “Preserved is preferred/ Beta than borscht.” The language is lively, multilingual, full of esprit de wit. Chuckles, giggles and groans are provoked.

A senior editor in art book publishing in New York City for 30 years, Gilchrist brings a wide-ranging knowledge base to her current pursuits. With its litany of fancy furniture, “Flim Flam for a Nephew — A Tale of Chairs,” another of the opuscula, no doubt reflects the author’s experience editing the Smithsonian Illustrated Library of Antiques.

“Opuscula: Little Works of Brenda Gilchrist,” by Brenda Gilchrist, Braceypoint Press, Deer Isle.—PHOTO COURTESY BRENDA GILCHRIST

A Welsh corgi named Gabi is the star of two of the booklets, “Paws for Peace” and “Gabi’s Doggone Totally Awesome Guide to Maine.” Again, Gilchrist is happy to deploy the puns in great number. In the latter little work, Gabi offers state history and landmarks in dog and cat lingo with canine/feline commentary: “This land, from Kittyery to Bath (dogs like, but cats don’t) to Fort Scent, is warm and muzzly friendly.” You get the picture.

Another corgi stars in Gilchrist’s contribution to volume II of the Eggemoggin Reach Review, just published. In “Waltzing with Bracey,” an excerpt from a memoir in progress, the “aging, single, slightly eccentric woman” describes becoming a year-round Mainer in the company of an endearing dog. Bracey shares the author’s appreciation for opera on the radio and the skilled carpenters winterizing the house on the western shore of Deer Isle that she inherited from an aunt. Unlike the author, this dog does not miss New York City, but is happy to explore the “salt air society” of its surroundings.

The Maine State Library recently acquired two copies of each of the books in the “Opuscula” collection for their Maine Author Collection — a fine bit of recognition that should inspire further (excuse the pun) wordly smithing.

Gilchrist will read from her work at the Blue Hill Public Library on June 29 at 7 p.m. The Opuscula are available at Mr. York’s Book Shoppe and Blue Heron Gallery in Stonington, The Meadow in Blue Hill and The Plot Thickens in Ellsworth. They will be in the book arts show at the Turtle Gallery, Deer Isle, opening on Aug. 26.

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