Thersa Matsuura: A Robe of Feathers

Writing this blog has introduced me to many incredible people, from indie film makers and reality TV producers to aspiring authors and creative trailblazers.  Each of these relationships started online and, even though they’re geographically diverse, continue to strengthen and grow.

Thersa Matsuura is one of those amazing people I’ve had the pleasure of meeting (in cyberspace).  We first connected in the Absolute Write forums when discussing the upcoming Bram Stoker Awards (recap here) in Burbank, CA.  With a little gentle prodding on my part, I convinced Terrie to join the HWA and we’ve been fast friends ever since. 

For those who don’t know, Terrie is the author of the dark fantasy short story collection A Robe of Feathers: And Other Stories.  It’s a mixture of Japanese mythology and modern day stories that are far from your usual horror fare.  You can read one of her tales "Yaichiro’s Battle" online (I highly recommend it) and she was just reviewed in Fantasy & Science Fiction Magazine (fourth review down) by Charles de Lint.

Not only has Terrie always been super cool and supportive, but she recently sent me an incredible package all the way from Japan… a signed copy of her killer book.  For as long as I’ve been collecting books this is the first author signed book I’ve ever had.  I was giddy as a Catholic schoolgirl.

The first thing I noticed (other than how neatly she wrapped the package) was that a little stowaway snuck onto the package (the pic at the top of this post).  I have no idea who he is, but he appears to be riding a pickle.  Different strokes for different folks.  Now this package wasn’t your standard issue "here’s a signature kid, you bother me", but an explosion of awesome.  Bundled in with the book were a hand painted bookmark (by Terrie) and promotional postcards for A Robe of Feathers also displaying Terrie’s great artwork.  Inside the book was a sweet inscription and another one of Terrie’s great watercolors (I’m keeping that one to myself).

I’ve been devouring this book since the moment it arrived.  Like a delicious box of assorted chocolates these vignettes provide many different flavors of Japanese culture.  The stories alternate in tone and style showing off Terrie’s deft way with words while giving a layered richness to the entire book.  Each tale is steeped in emotion interwoven beautifully with the narrative: In "Sand Walls, Paper Doors" the bittersweet nostalgia for a way of life being destroyed in the name of progress; "Her Favorite" is filled with the pain and heartbreak of old age; Anger—from shame or embarrassment—is at the heart of "The Bean Washer" and "Hate and Where It Breeds".  That’s just scratching the surface of this great book.  The last time I read a short story collection with such textures and emotions was Clive Barker’s Books of Blood. 

Hopefully this post will introduce one more person to her book because writing like this needs to be shared.  I consider myself lucky to call Terrie a friend and can’t thank her enough for this touching gift.

Here are some close up pictures:

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