In her latest book Farewell to South Shore, Charlene Wexler invites us to take a step back into the late 1950s and early 1960s in Chicago’s South Shore community. The main character, Sherrie, navigates societal expectations, family traditions, and more in this piece of fiction that’s receiving great reviews. I had the pleasure of interviewing the author, and our conversation follows.
Disclosure: This sponsored interview takes us on a journey with author Charlene Wexler and her new book that offers a poignant reminder to never give up.
Interview with Charlene Wexler
In this interview, we talk about societal change, inspiration, resilience, and much more. Let’s get to it! The conversation opens with my question for Charlene about change.
A famous saying is that the only constant is change. This came to mind as I thought about Farewell to South Shore. Do you feel it applies? How so?
My main character, Sherrie Paul, deals with personal change and sweeping world change from the fifties to 2000. She grows up in a traditional family building with old world values. Problems are solved with love, food and Pa’s word- ”Because I say so.” Sherrie becomes the first girl in the family to go to College and thereby law school. She found herself in a new world.
What makes this book so relevant right now in America?
Many issues my protagonist, Sherry, worked on in the seventies are still relevant today—women’s rights, abortion, abuse, equal pay, divorce, racial,. A world different from the one she grew up in. Farewell To South Shore is a metaphor for a time and culture that will never be again.
Can you share a bit about how the idea for Farewell to South Shore came to be?
Ruth Bader Ginsburg inspired me to write about women’s rights. Years ago, I started to write about growing up in a family building and never knew where to go with it. It became an excellent contrast theme to my writings of women’s rights.
Were there any surprises while writing the book? If so, can you tell us a bit about them?
I always know my beginning and end. My characters help tell me where I’m going. My major surprise was June 2022. On that date, the Supreme Court reversed Roe/Wade. In Farewell To South Shore, I dealt with abortion before Jan. 1973 when Roe/Wade was passed. Instead of re-writing my book, I left those issues for the second book in the series, We Won’t Go Back.
Who is this book intended for?
Mainly women. Everyone wants to go into memory mode. Many of my readers are men who like to reminisce about Chicago and their growing up.
What do you hope readers take away from it?
A smile. Confidence to conquer life’s problems. Memories of a long-gone place.
To a woman who struggles with confidence, what would you say to help empower her?
Keep going. Never give up.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Hopefully alive. I’m 81. Still writing. Farewell is a series with a second book coming out next year.
Get your copy of Farewell to South Shore
Farewell to South Shore is available online on Amazon, Speaking Volumes, Barnes & Noble, Target, and several other online outlets. Get your copy in paperback or eBook format.
Also, connect with Charlene on Facebook and on her personal website charlenewexler.com. Find out more about her other books too!
Thank you for being here, Charlene Wexler
I appreciate Charlene taking the time for this interview. Most of all, I appreciate her dedication to empowering women’s voices. She inspires us to embrace change, overcome adversity, and cherish memories. What do you like the most about this conversation? Feel free to share your thoughts!