March 3, 2004 - Racine Journal Times: RPCV Nick Cibrario writes "The Pomelo Tree" about anthropologist Carl Brecht, who leaves his teaching position at a university to do research on shamanism in Nepal

Peace Corps Online: Directory: Nepal: Peace Corps Nepal : The Peace Corps in Nepal: March 3, 2004 - Racine Journal Times: RPCV Nick Cibrario writes "The Pomelo Tree" about anthropologist Carl Brecht, who leaves his teaching position at a university to do research on shamanism in Nepal

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RPCV Nick Cibrario writes "The Pomelo Tree" about anthropologist Carl Brecht, who leaves his teaching position at a university to do research on shamanism in Nepal



RPCV Nick Cibrario writes "The Pomelo Tree" about anthropologist Carl Brecht, who leaves his teaching position at a university to do research on shamanism in Nepal

Racinian has first novel published
By Abe Winter

RACINE - It took almost three decades, but Racine's Nick Cibrario finally got his first novel published. The next two, both part of his trilogy, soon will follow.

For now, the former Horlick High School teacher of English and Latin, who writes under the name Dominic Cibrario, is basking in the joy provided by Britton Road Press, the publisher of "The Pomelo Tree." It's the story about anthropologist Carl Brecht, who leaves his teaching position at a university to do research on shamanism in Nepal.

He also is recovering from the shock of breaking up with Barbara. On the flight from Bangkok to Kathmandu, Carl befriends Margaret Porter, who is traveling with her two unruly children, Nigel and Christopher.

Brecht soon discovers that Porter is fleeing from a London coven with her children. The plane lands in Kathmandu during the peak of a 10-day Hindu Festival involving animal sacrifices to the goddess, Durga.

Cibrario, who taught at Horlick from 1970 to 2000, described his novel as "adult fiction" that could appreciated by mature high school and adults.

" `The Pomelo Tree' is bold, intense and disturbing. It is not for the timid reader, nor for children," he said.

The first drafts of the manuscript were written during a sabbatical to Nepal in 1976-77. Cibrario, who writes art reviews for The Journal Times, worked with a literary agent for four years in an attempt to have the novel and three other manuscripts published, but to no avail.

It wasn't until June of 2000 that Britton Road Press agreed to publish the manuscript.

"I still can't quite believe that the books are now available in Racine," Cibrario said. "I'm absolutely thrilled and am filled with gratitude after waiting for so long for this novel to materialize."

Cibrario will be at Martha Merrell's Bookstore, 312 Sixth St. in Racine, for a book signing from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday. Other signings are scheduled from 1 to 3 p.m. April 3 at Voss Books, 229 N. Water St., Milwaukee, and at 5 p.m. April 17 at Swank, a restaurant at 828 N. Water St.

Cibrario, who is donating 50 percent of the profits from his book to an orphanage in Nepal to educate children, also has scheduled a Power Point presentation at 2 p.m. on May 1 at the Racine Public Library. It will be open to the public.

The author, who has been to Nepal four times, including a two-year stint in the Peace Corps starting in 1962, said he is grateful to the publisher for "encouraging me to develop the novel into a trilogy and for advising me to flesh out the major characters." He also is thankful for a year of editing help from John Brosseau of Racine.

The second book of The Garden of Kathmandu Trilogy is called "The Harvest" and the third is "The Shamans." Each continues the story of Brecht and the Porter family.

Each of the stories is based on Cibrario's personal experiences in Nepal.

"During a memorable trek to Gosainkund in August 1963, I was able to witness two exorcisms," he said. "In addition I have observed the animal sacrifices in Kathmandu during the three years that I lived, worked, and studied in Nepal."

"The Pomelo Tree" sells for $10.95 at bookstores from Racine to Kathmandu. It also can be ordered for $15.95, which includes postage and handling costs.




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Story Source: Racine Journal Times

This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; COS - Nepal; Writing - Nepal; Anthropology; Shamanism

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