Missouri River Pericles
"Missouri River Pericles is a profoundly moving, character-driven exploration of resilience, healing, and hope. Woven with rich strands of Native American history, Stephen Hoffman’s narrative unfolds with quiet grace and unflinching honesty—bearing witness to the profound impact grief and trauma can have on the human mind, whiletenderly allowing space for a hopeful conclusion. This beautiful work of fiction lingers in the memory, a testament to the enduring strength of the human spirit. Essential reading for those who cherish stories that grapple with emotional endurance and the complexities of healing."
--Elsa Clausen, Assistant Attorney General, Maryland Office of the Attorney General
"Missouri River Pericles is engrossing for its combination of individual, tribal, and universal experiences and ideas. The layers of understanding are wonderful. I love the way Hoffman weaves analytic ideas into the narrative, and the philosophy of ethics as it gradually emerges from the plot events. And I love the humor. Hoffman's book has an integrative perspective and a universality that is his alone. Bravo!"
--Arlene Kramer Richards, Training and Supervising Analyst, The Contemporary Freudian Society and The Institute for Psychoanalytic Training and Research.
Stephen Hoffman’s second novel, Missouri River Pericles, manages to be both epic and gentle. Beautifully weaving story lines from multiple characters together, reminiscent of a Shakespearean comedy or the magic coincidences of a great 19th century novel, it is ultimately a love letter to the state where it is set – North Dakota – and to its inhabitants. A lovely read, which when it ends feels like parting with a generous new friend.
--Alexnd, Barnes and Noble review, Bethesda, MD