‘Lift’ author O’Connor to bring multi-media presentation to Truckee
Captivated by a chance meeting with a falconer’s peregrine as a child, the indelible memory leads the author to flying a peregrine falcon of her own as an adult and discovering that the journey is not as much about training the falcon as what it is the falcon has to teach her. While bonding with this challenging hunting partner, O’Connor delves into her past and comes to terms with childhood neglect and abuse, reconnecting with her once absent mother and finding all of her relationships can ultimately be as honest and strong as that of a falconer and her peregrine. Exploring themes of predator and prey, finding tribe, forgiveness and femininity, the memoir asks universal questions through a unique backdrop and a tempestuous love affair with a falcon.
American falconry is storied and complex as well, full of eccentric and compelling characters battling to keep their art legal and preserve the land required to practice it. “Lift” illustrates the beauty and meaning the sport adds to one falconer’s life, echoing the challenges and triumphs of being human.
Rebecca K. O’Connor has published essays in South Dakota Review, Iron Horse Literary Review, and Los Angeles Times Magazine. Her novel, “Falcon’s Return” was a Holt Medallion Finalist, and she has published numerous reference books on the natural world. She has an MFA in Creative Writing and Writing for the Performing Arts from the University of California, Riverside where she won the McQuern Fellowship fornonfiction. She has also been awarded fellowships to The Tomales Bay Writer’s Workshops, Squaw Valley Writer’s Workshops and San Juan Writer’s Workshops. O’Connor lives in Citrus Heights, California with her falcon, Anakin, and her Brittany spaniel, Booth.
WHERE: The Bookshelf at Hooligan Rocks, Gateway Shopping Center
WHEN: Friday, Nov. 13, 5:30 p.m.
Avian behaviorist and author, Rebecca K. O’Connor, will present her new memoir with a multimedia presentation of video, photographs and readings. She will share the sometimes funny and often poignant lessons that birds teach us, and how they inspired “Lift.”
Support Local Journalism
Support Local Journalism
Readers around Lake Tahoe, Truckee, and beyond make the Sierra Sun's work possible. Your financial contribution supports our efforts to deliver quality, locally relevant journalism.
Now more than ever, your support is critical to help us keep our community informed about the evolving coronavirus pandemic and the impact it is having locally. Every contribution, however large or small, will make a difference.
Your donation will help us continue to cover COVID-19 and our other vital local news.