Ida Mae Glick, a critically acclaimed filmmaker, has lived and taught in the small town of Willow Bend, New York for five years without drawing attention to her troubled past. But when she suffers a near fatal heart attack, the result of trying to live on the same meager rations as a group of homeless people she is filming, she winds up in intensive care under the scrutiny of a neurotic psychiatrist who believes she’s unstable. To make matters worse, her mother’s ghost has appeared at her bedside with old gripes, and her angry, estranged identical twin, Lisa, is heading toward town intent on having her committed. Ida Mae is desperate to escape with her freedom intact, but knows she’ll have to get past her psychiatrist first. The only question is, can she? Shadows and Ghosts is Ida Mae’s tale of artistic passion, fierce sibling rivalry, failed love affairs, substance abuse, and the magical redemptive power of cinema.

Praise

This is a rich and thoroughly satisfying novel, by turns hilarious, poignant, and thought-provoking. Catherine M. Wallace — author of For Fidelity: How Intimacy and Commitment Enrich Our Lives, and Motherhood in the Balance: Children, Career, God, and Me

“Froman’s novel will capture your heart….” Susan Applebaum — author of In the Studio with Joyce Piven

“Most of all, superb writing….” Patty Somlo — author of Hairway to Heaven and other Stories

“The characters…will haunt you long after you’ve turned the last page.” Joan Corwin — author of Hindsight and other Stories

“Shadows and Ghosts is a wonderful read.” Tracy Ewens — author of Stay, and Candidate

“Shadows and Ghosts masterfully shifts between the present tense and distant recollection, the earthly and the ethereal, and drama and humor.” Benjamin Meyer — award-winning director and writer of Sold and Fools

“Barbara Froman skillfully alternates comedy with a sharp, uncompromising yet deeply understanding and forgiving observation of human flaws, and truly poignant descriptions of human frailty.” Katherine Gregor — translator of The Florios of Sicily