Northshire Live
Yasodhara and the Buddha
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Combining the spirit of fiction with the fabulism of Indian mythology and in-depth academic research, Vanessa R. Sasson shares the evocative story of the Buddha from the perspective of a forgotten woman: Yasodhara, the Buddha’s wife.
Vanessa R. Sasson presents her novel “Yasodhara and the Buddha,” with Amanda Decklebaum lead project manager and co-host of the podcast Soundfood. The Northshire Live event will take place 6 p.m. Wednesday, July 28. Tickets are required.
Although often marginalized, Yasodhara’s narrative here comes to life. Written with a strong feminist voice, we encounter Yasodhara as a fiercely independent, passionate and resilient individual. We witness her joys and sorrows, her expectations and frustrations, her fairy-tale wedding, and her overwhelming devastation at the departure of her beloved.
It is through her eyes that we witness Siddhattha’s slow transformation, from a sheltered prince to a deeply sensitive young man. On the way, we see how the gods watch over the future Buddha from the clouds, how the king and his ministers try to keep the suffering of the world from him and how he eventually renounces the throne, his wife and newly-born son to seek enlightenment.
Reserve a ticket on eventbrite to get the zoom link for this event. Available via northshire.com
Folk singer Mary Gauthier
in Discussion with Sarah Craig of Caffe Lena
Northshire Bookstore presents an evening with Grammy-nominated folk singer and songwriter Mary Gauthier, in conversation with Sarah Craig of Caffe Lena. Gauthier will discuss her new book “Saved by a Song: The Art and Healing Power of Songwriting.”
Mary Gauthier was 12 years old when she was given her Aunt Jenny’s old guitar and taught herself to play with a Mel Bay basic guitar workbook. Music offered her a window to a world where others felt the way she did. Songs became lifelines to her, and she longed to write her own, one day.
Then, for a decade, while struggling with addiction, Gauthier put her dream away and her call to songwriting faded. It wasn’t until she got sober and went to an open mic with a friend did she realize that she not only still wanted to write songs, she needed to. Today, Gauthier is a decorated musical artist, with numerous awards and recognition for her songwriting, including a Grammy nomination.
The event takes place 7 p.m. Monday, July 26. Ticket includes admission to this event for your household, a hardcover copy of Saved by a Song. Your book will be shipped for free and/or available for pickup after the event. Available at northshire.com.
If you have already ordered a copy of the event book from Northshire Bookstore, contact events@northshire.com to inquire about a complimentary ticket.