Marc Hopkins

Perspective: The Portrayal of Artist Esther Joy White is a tour-De-force of gritty literary realism, taking readers on one of the most improbable, yet authentic stories of personal growth and triumph.
The novel begins by tracing the humble roots of abandoned waif, Esther White, from a dilapidated farm in Lower Michigan, under the indomitable sway of a bible-thumping grandmother. This is well-mined territory, scary and fanatical, yet in deft strokes of storytelling takes unexpected turns. Early on, we witness Esther struggle through hard-fought journeys of sexual awakenings in tandem with horrific domestic sexual abuse. Amidst these travails and uncertainties, we witness a personal flowing of nascent genius, the eye of a young artist finding beauty and perspective where others see flatness and loss. It is this intermingling of apparent hopelessness against inner spirit that elevates Perspective: The Portrayal of Artist Esther Joy White to a must-read narrative of human endurance.

There is nothing certain in the early parts of this 80,000-word women’s fiction. All is in flux as it is in real life. The slow evolution of brilliance amidst ramshackle impoverishment, the improbable emergence of Esther, to world renowned artist, eventual Gay/Lesbian and AIDS activist, in her dying years holds together. It is an incredible journey, and yet authentic and told with uncanny directness that will leave readers stunned and humbled.

Perspective: The Portrayal of Artist Esther Joy White speaks to the indelible font of hope and perseverance within the human soul.

A Word from my Mentor – Lucien Barriere Literary Prize winning author Michael Collins

Please give due consideration to the depth and realness of this novel. I’ve worked extensively with Marc and believe he has captured the female voice; I easily compare it to the women in “The Hours”. His ability to make Esther’s entire life believable from a first person perspective is both brilliant and mysterious. Using small towns in Michigan as backdrops he paints a picture so vivid that you feel her joy and struggle with her as the pages of her life unfold. To his credit as an author he has been able to capture and blend a “Coming of Age” and “Women’s Fiction” as completely as he was able to unnerve readers with his first novel a gritty psychological thriller “What Killed Jonathon Harnish?”