Mirinda Kossoff Explores Identity and a Father’s Legacy in “The Rope of Life”
Podcast: Download (Duration: 35:45 — 32.8MB)
In this episode 204, guest hosted by Jordan Wade, who has a Masters in American Studies, a commitment to social justice and an interest in the topics of identity and religion, we visit with Mirinda Kossoff, author of “The Rope of Life,” a poignant memoir about the faith, identity, loss, and the bond between fathers and their daughters.
Fueled by the memory of a flight in her father’s airplane, Mirinda dives into her father’s legacy to understand his sudden death and his struggle with identity.
Kim Church, author of “Byrd,” had this to say about the book, “Mirinda Kossoff’s father was a shape-shifter, a Jewish turned-Southern Baptist dentist-pilot-farmer who never managed to escape the stigma of otherness or the pain of unbelonging. In this memoir, full of heart and heartbreak, Kossoff reflects on her father’s legacy and her own journey of self-invention and reinvention. A frank, moving, timely story.”
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About the Author:
Mirinda Kossoff was born in Greensboro, North Carolina and grew up not that far away in small-town Danville, Virginia, which she couldn’t wait to escape. She managed to get as far away as Japan for work, after graduating from The College of William & Mary. Later, she lived in England for nine months. She has been a chameleon in her work life – from social worker, assistant managing editor at a large newspaper, communications director in academia and nonprofits, freelancer, to metal smith and jewelry designer and member artist in a fine art gallery.
Her essays and creative writing have been passions she pursued alongside her day jobs. She penned a weekly column for a local paper, was an essayist/commentator on regional public radio, and taught essay writing at Duke University.
For years, Mirinda avoided her life’s purpose—to tell her story as truthfully and honestly as she could. Now, with her memoir, she has done that. She will keep writing essays and blog posts on her website, http://www.mirindakossoff.com, because she has always been a keen observer and has opinions on just about any subject.
Additional Endorsements
“Spare, elegant writing traces a daughter’s search for the truth about her father’s suicide and a psychological journey back to a WWII death camp … a revelatory and compelling memoir.”
–Lee Smith, author of Blue Marlin
“The Rope of Life is a deep account of an issue we all struggle with: Identity. Born to a Baptist mother and a man who converted from Judaism, Kossoff watched her father take on roles that served him and roles that he fought against. As he acted out in anger at times, she began to wonder if he had left an essential part of himself behind somewhere. Kossoff writes deftly about how one man’s severed identity affected another generation. Moving and beautiful, The Rope of Lifereaches a poignant conclusion. You won’t regret reading this one.”
–Nancy Peacock, author of The Life and Times of Persimmon Wilson
“A story of a man’s life told through a daughter’s eyes that masterfully balances unvarnished truths with affection.”
–Kirkus Reviews
About Guest Host Jordan Wade
Jordan currently lives in Durham, NC after years of moving around the US and traveling abroad as often as possible. Her heart and soul are in Austin, TX where she plans to return in the near future. She has worked a variety of jobs through the years and generally seeks out experiences that create meaning and connect people. Her interests include food, travel, cats, musical theater, dance, live music, swimming, hiking, and seeking pleasure. She is the daughter of podcast host, Landis Wade.
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