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Dear Readers,
Straken marks the conclusion of a journey I began six years ago when I
first conceived of a six-book set which would contain two trilogies and
three generations of Ohmsfords and their friends. It was not a journey
lightly undertaken or a destination easily reached. When I began, I
knew only two things. First, that I wanted to take a hard look at the
matter of redemption from sin, of forgiveness for the worst kinds of
behavior. Second, I wanted the reader to feel something of what
reaching grace in life really meant.
I have been asked for many years why I never write about any bad
Ohmsfords. All of them are good, none a villain. It never occurred to
me that anyone would want to see an Ohmsford villain. For me, the
Ohmsfords have always sort of stood for us, a personification of
readers who can identify with the confusion and fear and dismay at
being thrown into a bad situation not of our making from which we must
extricate ourselves. But the character of Grianne Ohmsford gave me a
chance to start a story where an Ohmsford is the worst sort of villain
and then see how life gives her the chance to change all that.
Characteristically, it taught me a lot about what I really think about
redemption and forgiveness. I found it doesn't come easy and often it
doesn't come at all. I found that failings and regrets can be
forgiven, but never really forgotten. Much of what we do in our lives
leaves a permanent mark. We might be able to transcend it, but never
erase it. That isn't the way the world works. But I will be
interested to learn what readers find to be true for themselves. Much
of the fun of being a writer is to put something out there and wait for
a response. I think that will happen here.
Best Wishes,
Terry
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