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Phoenix Press International
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The College Experience Examined in Satirical New Book
First-time author Amy Barkham explores connections between academic life and social constraints
Washington DC – April 18, 2011 – Debut author Amy Barkham’s The Mirth of College (Phoenix Press International; on sale April 21, 2011) is a satirical novel about the college experience in the twenty-first century.
The novel chronicles Professor Andrea Gordon’s innocent quest to figure out Hegel College, one of America’s top liberal-arts schools, through her students’ eyes. She asks them to write about their college experiences but soon begins to regret the assignment when she finds herself irrevocably involved in a scandal.
While writing the novel, Barkham drew on her concurrent college experiences to explore themes of division caused by technology and globalization and societal individualism vs. collectivism.
“The author carefully considers important connections between academic life and the social constraints that are central to modern America,” says Dr. Mahamadou Lamine Sagna, editorial director of Phoenix. “Despite cultural and social differences, there remains a logical quest of recognition.”
Barkham notes the novel speaks to a wide audience, including alumni reminiscing about four remarkable years of their lives, high school seniors impatiently waiting for an acceptance letter and parents providing their children with an expensive ticket to freedom in the name of education.
Ndack Kane, director of the "First Chance" book collection at Phoenix, says reaching adulthood can be a real challenge. She references last summer’s New York Times article that explored why so many people in their 20s are taking so long to grow up.
“In The Mirth of College, Barkham let some of them talk,” Kane says. “I invite everyone to listen to these students. Between small talk, real talk and poetry, you may discover new faces of life while ‘we ride astral planes with psychological dynamites.’”
Four years prior to studying at Hamilton College, Barkham lived in Dakar, Senegal. A native French speaker with a passion for writing and foreign languages, Barkham is currently working on her world politics thesis at Hamilton College. She hopes to pursue a career in international diplomacy.
Ali Diallo, president and founder of Phoenix, notes Barkham’s potential. “I commend her enthusiasm, dedication and high spirit. She has a very bright future ahead of us and Phoenix will be by her side as she evolves in her current author's role.”
ABOUT PHOENIX PRESS INTERNATIONAL
Phoenix Press International (known as Editions Phoenix in French-speaking markets or simply Phoenix) is an international publishing group located in America and doing business in Europe, Canada, USA and Africa. Through its publications, Phoenix seeks to educate people about the beauty, complexity and cultural richness of societies they may only encounter through the written word. Phoenix collaborates with scholars, heads of state and internationally renowned authors. The company also gives young and upcoming authors the opportunity to publish their books through its collection called Première Chance ("First Chance"). Find out more at www.phoenixpublishing.org.
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THE MIRTH OF COLLEGE
The Mirth of College is a satirical novel about the college experience in the twenty-first century. It speaks to the alumni reminiscing about four remarkable years of their lives, the high school seniors impatiently waiting for an acceptance letter, and the parents providing their children with an expensive ticket to freedom in the name of education.
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