SILKEBORG, Denmark, Sept. 1, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- Childhood is filled with magic and wonder, but as one grows older the demands of adulthood turn imagination into forced responsibility. One can either accept this or search for meaning and understanding. Tess, the heroine of Russ Njust's new novel, The Alabaster Garden (now available through AuthorHouse), struggles with this dilemma while also dealing with tragic circumstances.
A 16-year-old from Portland, Ore., Tess is grieving the loss of her mother. She lives with her father, Michael, and his girlfriend, Jean. Tess believes no one truly cares about her feelings, and she also feels pushed into accepting the trials of adulthood. Throughout her ordeals, she can only count on her friend Chloe, a Jamaican girl who is like a sister to her. When another tragedy strikes, it shatters Tess' world and sends her on a journey for a new identity.
On a trip to California, Michael and Jean take Tess to meet her great-grandmother, Mary. Mary opens new doors for Tess and encourages her to embark on a mission of self-discovery. This teenager is suddenly exposed to the mysteries of life and love.
As childhood is replaced by adulthood, the beauty of the world is often obscured. Looking through the lens of innocence makes life an expression of joy again. Tess, by opting for the path of hope, exemplifies each person's opportunity to reclaim their youthful imagination.
"In our struggles to know, to obtain and to become more than we believe we are, many of us have lost sight of our essential innocence and our kinship to all life," Njust writes. "We have thereby lost touch with the one thing in our beings that truly sees everything in the light of love."
A timeless story about courage, friendship and growing up, The Alabaster Garden is a unique novel that inspires readers to follow Tess' lead and seek the wonder in life again.
Njust is an artist and teacher. Before moving to Denmark in 1972, he explored Oregon's wilderness regions and worked as a carpenter. For the past 25 years he has been active in the development of human potential and has taught courses in creative expression. The Alabaster Garden is his first novel.
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