Shore House hosted a Reading and Reception with Alexandra Styron author of Reading My Father: A Memoir at the Two Rivers Theater .
A near sold out crowd gathered on Monday April 2 at the Two River Theater in Red Bank to hear author Alexandra Stryon, daughter of Pulitizer Prize author William Stryon, share stories of her father and read passages from her new book, Reading My Father: A Memoir. The deeply personal and often humorous evening explored the turbulent struggles her father endured in his lifelong career as a noted author and his battles with depression and drinking. The evening was hosted by Shore House, a membership organization which is dedicated to providing resources and support for people with mental illness and their families. The warm and insightful author, Alexandra Styron, presented a very honest portrait of herself. She spoke openly about the isolation many writers feel, about her experiences of being the much younger last child in the colorful family and the comfort she took in television growing up as a pseudo “only child”. She shared her true emotions and the exhaustion she experienced dealing with her father’s slow and painful health battles and her grief process following his death, giving the audience much to reflect upon. The author concluded the evening with a reception and book signing of READING MY FATHER, a gift for all ticket holders.
Alexandra’s renowned father, William Stryon, was the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Confessions of Nat Turner as well as the epic Sophie’s Choice. His life was marked with episodes of crippling depression, which he first documented with stunning candor in Darkness Visible: A Memoir of Madness.
The reception was one of a series of events being held locally to enlighten the community on the importance of Shore House’s role in helping those living with mental illness regain their lives. The event also provided information on how attendees can become involved and support Shore Clubhouse.
Recognized by the International Center for Clubhouse Development, Shore House provides a system of support that has been internationally acclaimed for its ability to help participants regain self worth and confidence, restart their lives, recover and develop new skills and reintegrate back into their communities. The World Health Organization reports that one in four people in the world will be affected by mental or neurological disorders at some point in their lives, placing mental disorders among the leading causes of ill-health and disability worldwide. Shore House intends to be a community of support for these individuals so that they can return to a life of meaning and respect.
For more information, please visit their website at www.shoreclubhouse.org.
