Klokking Twelve

In Klokking Twelve: Snapshots of a Life, Elaine Mingus takes the reader on a remarkable journey through various aspects of place, class and culture in 20th Century America-all through the keen eyes of a woman determined to find love and meaning within, and beyond, the world as it unfolded before her. In this uniquely structured memoir Mingus creates twelve snapshots for each of its four sections. Each snapshot is accompanied by a back-story or supporting information that provides further relevance and vitality concerning places and events, many now lost in the bustle and remake of history. In the first snapshot she is six years old; in the last snapshot she is well into her eighties. Astute though kind in her assessments, Mingus makes good use of a long life of sharp observation. Open about flaws in her life, and humble about successes, Mingus searches her heart as well as her mind in the telling of these stories, digging deep for their meaning. She tells how important love has been in her life, and with the wisdom of her years she shows tolerance for every person, family and otherwise, who has crossed her path. People in all walks of life will find something to appreciate in this honest story of a girl from a background of poverty and without a college education, who raised a family, put out three newsletters, was sought after as a spiritual adviser, wrote poetry for the sake of art, and became a James Joyce scholar. Elaine Mingus has two previous books: Toccatootletoo: Papers on James Joyce; and Leally and Tululy: Free Verse.