This author uniquely explores the fascinating intersections of science and art, often drawing inspiration from fields like particle physics and molecular biology for her innovative works. Her writing spans both prose and poetry, fluidly navigating between genres and exploring themes that are distinct to her creative voice. She is dedicated to promoting and celebrating short fiction, while also highlighting women's voices in history through her curatorial projects.
Exploring the complexities of identity and solitude, this debut novel presents a unique "fictional memoir-in-collage" format. The narrative unfolds as the Author seeks to share her story, prompting the Narrator to grant permission. Through a blend of personal reflections and interconnected tales, it delves into the experience of a woman navigating life independently, raising profound questions about self-definition and relationships with others.
Tania Hershman's Still Life With Octopus is an exquisitely-attuned second collection, a philosophical and poetic interrogation of the boundaries of animal and human worlds and the intimate nature of time, being and joy. Exploring the slippage between the life of the mind and the life of the body - in particular, those belonging to women - Hershman wonders what might happen if we let go of our preconceptions of both reality and language, taking nothing for granted and starting again from first principles, with fresh eyes. While trying to fathom our physical and metaphysical existence, Hershman doesn't ignore the other forms of intelligent life we share our planet with; her octopus is envisioned both as a creature within and alongside us and as a way to consider our place as humans within a greater chain of co-existence. Still Life With Octopus is a precisely observed and open-hearted gift of a book.