Living on the Edge of the World

When Catholics are born, they receive a Holy Bible. When Sicilians are born they receive a lupara. "Living on the Edge of the World", is a book every child who was borne upon Jersey soil; and every man who has reaped the benefits of its resources. It is an anthology of Garden State writers, telling of their experiences, of love, hatred, loss and joy. These up and coming authors show what it means to be from New Jersey, painting the duality that while you are "Living on the edge of the world" (Springsteen), "who says you can't go home" (Bon Jovi). And while that statement reeks of corniness, it is nonetheless truthful. As it was brought up by the editor, Irina Reyn, most these author fled the state. Yet, all pay homage to the Garden State. Everyone probably thinks the same of their state. Rhode Island, Texas, California, Nebraska. As places to grow and mature, these states are all fine and dandy, but every other state lack a grittiness, a grittiness laced with beauty and wonder. It is the ying and the yang, polar opposites: the Mullica or the Passaic; Princeton or Camden; the shoreline beauty below Raritan Bay, or the industrial grit above.