THE BLACK SWAN: Memory, Midlife and Migration

At the age of 56, Batterson, a mother of grown children who was living with her second husband, an Episcopal priest, experienced an episode of restlessness. Though brought on by her retirement—which she found a depressing reminder of her advancing years—it wasn't her first bout of wanderlust, which in the past had resulted in experiments with skydiving, rock-climbing and trekking in Nepal (Batterson was a national and international skydiving champion). Fortunately, her husband understood and supported her desire to spend several weeks following migratory birds in their VW camper, on a solitary journey that would take her from Connecticut to the West Coast and back. In spare, well-crafted prose, she recounts watching the migrating monarch butterflies in Kansas and observing sandhill cranes in Colorado. Although she spent a great deal of time alone—ruminating on her past achievements, her husband, her children, her parents (both dead) and her future, as well as a flood of childhood memories, both happy and sad—Batterson also visited her artist daughter in New Mexico as well as several friends, including a friend from college days who seemed determined to involve herself more deeply in a destructive relationship with an alcoholic. Nature lovers and those who relish solitude will enjoy this spiritual and interior travelogue. Agent, Malaga Baldi. (Aug.)

Forecast:A compelling, though quiet, memoir by a woman at midlife, this account may appeal to reading groups if it gets solid review coverage.