Erin Byrne captures the essence of France through unique and authentic experiences in Wings from Victory, her collection of stories about travel in one of the world's most alluring countries. Some or her experiences come through serendipity, others via good fortune, still others by accident. But each time, Erin takes the experience, digs deeper, and discovers meaning from it. Each story demonstrates in a different way this idea put forth by Joseph Campbell: The passage of the mythological hero may be overground, incidentally; fundamentally it is inward-into the depths, where obscure resistances are overcome and long lost powers are revivified. From Cézanne's studio in Aix-en-Provence to a tiny village in the Jura Mountains, from a cozy bistro on the Left Bank of Paris to a plain high above the Normandy beaches, Erin travels through France collecting stories, characters, tastes, and secrets that act as ingredients for change. She learns to trust her intuition after listening to Henri Cartier-Bresson's advice. After gazing at van Gogh's self-portrait, Erin finds a way to be more honest. This book is about the gifts we all glean from our travels, and will inspire readers to unwrap their own images and impressions in a new way.
"Different times, different places, different muses, but toujours France. In Wings, while offering a feast of discoveries, tastes, feelings and surprises, Erin Byrne shares with us her fascination with a country that rewards those who love its idiosyncrasies as much as its delights. To join Erin Byrne on her travels is to see France through the eyes of an ever-curious and affectionate friend."Alan
Tim Cahill, author of Jaguars Ripped My Flesh and Hold the Enlightenment
