Several Punahou alumni and faculty have published books in the past two years that span a variety of genres and subjects. Here’s a roundup of some of their work.
Tori Brenno ’79 Eldridge
“Dance Among the Flames”
From the national bestselling author of the “Lily Wong” thriller series comes a dark journey into Brazilian mysticism about a desperate mother who rises from the slums to embrace Quimbanda magic amid her quest for the ultimate revenge. Across 40 years, three continents and a past incident in 1560 France, Serafina Olegario tests the boundaries of love, power and corruption as she fights to escape her life of poverty and abuse. Serafina’s quest begins in Brazil when she’s possessed by the warrior goddess Yansa, who emboldens her to fight yet threatens to consume her spirit. Fueled by power and enticed by Exu, an immortal trickster and intermediary to the gods, Serafina turns to the seductive magic of Quimbanda.
Jerri Chaplin ’66, Dan Valenti and Paul Kocak
“Third Person Singular”
Third Person Singular features the work of three poets who have never been in the same room together. The collaboration took place solely on email. Themes include nature, relationships, pandemic topics and much more.
George Woollard ’65
“Finding the Light”
George Woollard has been a highly respected O‘ahu artist and teacher for many years. “Finding the Light,” a follow-up to his 2016 book “The Edge of Wetness,” showcases more than 80 color photographs of George’s most recent watercolors, prints, paintings and sculptures. The book concludes with an interview with George conducted by former Punahou Director of Instruction, Bruce Schauble. Further information about George’s work can be found at georgewoollard.com
Marjorie Nelson ’71 Matthews
“Hawai‘i Calls”
Sadira Doyle believes the best years of her life are behind her. A housewife and mother in a parochial town during the latter years of the Depression, she yearns for more. Her husband is an alcoholic sinking into despair; her eldest son’s eccentricities make him the object of bullying; and her mother-in-law’s religious zeal runs counter to Sadira’s own spiritual sensibilities. The weekly radio show, Hawai‘i Calls, offers her a chance to escape. This intoxicating, glamorous world soon proves challenging and flawed. The Japanese attack on O‘ahu changes the landscape once again, altering daily life for the islands and Sadira must recreate herself once more to survive with her family intact.
Kelimia Mednick ’85
“Hawaiian-Made Goodies: 75 Simple Sweet ‘N’ Savory Island-Inspired Recipes”
“Hawaiian-Made Goodies” offers 75 easy-to-make recipes chock-full of every imaginable combination of flavors from the Pacific and around the world. It took 20 years of experimentation in Mednick’s kitchen and rewriting the first cookbook, “Sugar and Spice Cookies Made With Love,” to recreate this new homegrown Hawaiian cookbook. It is a collaborative labor of love that includes recipes and taste-testing from beloved family, friends and Punahou ‘ohana. The book has a touching foreword by retired Punahou teacher and paddling coach, Marion Lyman-Mersereau ’70.