East & West: Stories of India-Catherine Ann Jones

Chaucer’s Books (3321 State Street, Santa Barbara) will host local author Catherine Ann Jones for a book talk and signing of her novel “East & West: Stories of India” on Tuesday,  June 18 at 6 p.m.

Book Description “East & West: Stories of India” In this captivating book, contrasting and complementary aspects of Indian culture are explored through stories of seekers, stories of ordinary Indians; stories of heroes, frauds, and victims.

Author Biography –  Catherine Ann Jones  (MA in Depth Psychology), has played major roles in over 50 productions on and off-Broadway, later becoming an award-winning author. She has authored eleven plays produced in and out of NYC and has written films including UNLIKELY ANGEL(Dolly Parton), THE CHRISTMAS WIFE(Jason Robards, Julie Harris, with 4 Emmy nominations), and the popular television series, TOUCHED BY AN ANGEL.  A Fulbright Scholar to India studying shamanism, teaching graduate school (The New School University in NYC and USC Film School in LA) as well as at the Esalen, Omega, & Pacifica Graduate Institutes. She is the award-winning author of Heal Your Self with Writing, The Way of Story, What Story Are You Living, Freud’s Oracle, True Fables, Buddha and the Dancing Girl: A Creative Life,East & West: Stories of India(2024), and Remarkable Women: Four Plays (2024).Over 60,000 subscribers to her six online courses found on her home page. For online courses, schedule, writing consultations, blog, & psychic readings visit wayofstory.com

Praise for the Book

“Each of these 15 stories is unique, each of them could be a film, and each will live on in your memory.    –  Ratna Joshi, Times of India

“These memorable stories are so different from each other in theme and characters – and yet each is located in that place in the heart where east and west meet. Based on years of grounded observation, these Stories of India are beautifully transporting and evocative.”  Betty Sue Flowers, Ph.D., editor, Joseph Campbell’s The Power of Myth

“Catherine Ann Jones is a great story teller.  The stories in this book are all set in India, but each one has a very different context and shows a highly insightful and impartial look at the Indian culture. Each story is unique, wonderfully written and enchanting.  Not only worth reading, but reading again and reading aloud to others. Highly recommended.”  -Ravi Ravindra, Ph.D, author of The Bhagavad Gita: A Guide to Navigating the Battle of Life

“Most of her enthralling stories, though not all, are located in India, a country and its people that Catherine loves and knows with the deepest understanding.  She writes with the clarity and delicacy of butterfly wings.”   Roshan Seth, actor

“In the best tradition of storytelling in India, this new book by Catherine Ann Jones is a modern classic. Seemingly covering the entirety of Indian culture, values, current events, and philosophy, the fifteen stories in her collection will long be treasured for capturing the ethos of the twenty-first century. In spite of the 114th sloka of the Dharma Shastra that intones “The essence of dharma is hidden and elusive,” it is true that the Catherine Ann Jones dharma is storytelling.” R.E.Mark Lee, World Teacher: The Life and Teachings of J. Krishnamurti

“East & West (Stories of India) by Catherine Ann Jones are simply delightful and show how deeply she understands our Indian ways and our cultural heritage. Each story is beautifully nuanced with a deep understanding of the human psyche and the Indian culture. I shall certainly read your other books now that I have sampled your stories. These delightful Stories of India were like a fresh water shower.” Meena Kaushik, Ph.D. and CEO of Quantum Consumer Solutions. Bangalore, India

“Exceptional stories of India, gently spun by the author. A trip to India on a quiet afternoon.” Arthur Kornhaber, M. D., American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, Spirit

Murder in Assam is a very heart wrenching story, beautifully told and tragically based in truth. – Kitty Winn, actor

“I’m impressed with the optimism in both your stories; despite setbacks, friends finding solace and    sustenance over the years is heartwarming indeed.  And the reconciliation between generations is what we all wish would be the metaphor for a healing India. Your love of India and her traditions is very apparent.”  Prema Chari

“When I finished reading East & West, I sat motionless for several moments, feeling the wisdom and beauty of your portrayal. Three cheers to you for writing an entire book of excellent stories of India, a memorable work of art.” Dianne Skafte, Ph.D., Listening to the Oracle

 “Your My Life as a Devadasi story is not only rich and gripping, but superbly written! The Bus Home is also excellent – and moving!”   Muzaffar Chishti, lawyer, New York City

 “Catherine Ann Jones’s short stories emanating from her life experiences in India are authentic, insightful, and informative about a culture and its societal nuances that are too often unknown to American audiences. Well worth reading” Chip Beck, The Alamo Conspiracy

“You truly are gifted in your ability to combine historic data with a fictional premise that enables the reader to imagine as reality.” – Patricia Gaul, actor

“Brilliant! In these fifteen short stories, the eminent writer and global teacher Catherine Ann Jones takes us on a sentient journey into the diverse, past an”d present soul of India – from tea plantations in Assam, devout chaos on the banks of the Ganges, cosmopolitan Delhi, to the humid, traditional South. All come alive in this fine collection, leaving us wanting more.” – Robert Walker, London, England