James Drury's book, "A Sharpness of Grief: poems and stories of a journey to healing," is a unique collection which takes an honest look at divorce grief and recovery. "You can't do it alone," writes the author. Reviews of the book beginning to come in are positive and affirming.
Early reviews are beginning to come in for James Hugh Drury’s new book, A Sharpness of Grief: poems and stories of a journey to healing (now available through AuthorHouse). Dr. Ted Berg of Kalispell, Montana, writes, “This is a powerful collection of poems and short stories. It is full of wisdom and honesty. I hope that it will be widely read.”
Fellow Alaskan pastor, the Reverend Martin Eldred, Eagle River, notes that “Reverend Drury has blessed us with a personal, intimate gift by allowing us into his personal walk through a very dark time. His poems capture the rage, depression, confusion and dark humor, which are such a part of the grieving process, as well as the weariness, wariness and, ultimately, the joy, of the healing process.”
Reviewer Rebecca Roby, an old high school friend of Drury’s (whom he hasn’t seen since the mid 60’s in Japan), picked up on that theme. “This book has greatly added to my life by putting into words what not only I have experienced but has been experienced by so many of those I love.”
With three exceptions, all the material in A Sharpness of Grief was written within one year of Drury’s divorce. As the manuscript grew, he asked friends to read it. Eventually, after reading at the 1998 Sitka Symposium, the co-director of the Island Institute asked to publish the story, Looking East, in Connotations, the institute's journal. It appeared in the summer 1998 edition.
“One of the truths I learned about divorce and grief recovery is that it is hard work. You can’t do it by yourself. I offer the book as an example of that kind of effort and the blessing that comes from finding out you are not alone,” Drury says.
Ordained in 1977, he has served congregations in California, Texas and Alaska, laughing when asked, “I only do big states.” Currently, in addition to his life as a parish pastor at the oldest Lutheran congregation in Alaska, Drury serves on the board of the Island Institute and has a weekly program, “Story Lines” on KCAW, the local public radio station. An Air Force brat, Drury has led a much-traveled life, including three years spent in Japan during high school. He graduated from Lompoc (CA) High School in 1966 and received a bachelor’s degree from California Baptist College in 1970. Drury then earned his Master of Divinity from Lutheran Theological Seminary in Gettysburg, Pa., and a second master’s degree in communication arts from St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, Texas.
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