Natural Selections (ePub)

"She would always remember the night before he died…."

And so begins Eve's story. A story of tragedy and hope, humor and pathos, good and evil. A story that celebrates the power of the human spirit to overcome despair and find grace.
NATURAL SELECTIONS is the bizarre yet touching story of Eve-a woman who transcends the rules of her family, society, religion, and even her own body to be true to herself. She is a woman trapped in a man's form.

She was born Adam Richeleau, the youngest son of the aristocratic family, wealthy New Orleans Richeleaus-a family in which name and honor mean all. A family cursed as tragedy stikes every generation through death, insanity, and despair. This is Eve's heritage and Adam's burden.

Adam grows up knowing he is different, that his exterior does not match his feelings and beliefs inside. He longs to dance as a prima ballerina; he is happiest dressing in his sister's clothing; and he is always mistaken for a girl. Yet, for his family's sake, he hides his need to express his real self, never telling them the truth that would shatter them. He develops a deep spirituality and strength that enables him to endure his lonely, deceitful, painful life-a spirituality that comforts him when tragedy strikes his family with numbing speed and a strength that helps him make a decision. A decision that culminates in his own death and his rebirth as Eve.

As a woman, Eve emerges from her broken shell complete, serene, loving, and beautiful. And it is as a woman that Eve finally discovers love. Love with Nathan Poe-a cynical, alcoholic, burnt-out TV newscaster-who, when he meets Eve, is on the brink of self-discovery or self-destruction.

Yet Eve's life is still far from easy, for her broken past returns to threaten her in the guise of Harley Kurtz, a self-proclaimed minister and evangelist.

NATURAL SELECTIONS focuses on the internal struggle for truth, strength, and compassion that each person must experience in order to survive. It is survival of the fittest-fittest in the sense of having the ability to love, risk, and believe. NATURAL SELECTIONS is a joyful account of triumph; triumph for anyone who has denied his true self in order to feel safe and acceptable in society.

With skill and compassion, Gloria Nagy has created vivid characters with real foibles, passions, and hopes. Her writing is fresh and vibrant, and the story she tells is provocative and enlightening.