Soar, Adam, Soar USA and World Release Today
Dundurn
Contact: Elham Ali, publicist
Tel: (416) 214-5544; ext: 227
Email: eali@dundurn.com
Cdn. Pub Date: February 2, 2019 US Pub Date: February 26, 2019
“Remarkable book, by a remarkable father.” – Tomson Highway
The story of one young man’s coming out, coming in, and coming home
From the moment he was born, Adam Prashaw’s life was full of surprises. Born “Rebecca Danielle Adam Prashaw,” Adam spent his life capturing hearts with his humour, compassion, and intensity. A life he documented in a trove of social media posts detailing his relationships, transition from female to male, and struggles with epilepsy, all with remarkable transparency and directness. What’s more, after a tragic accident cut his life short, Adam left a legacy of four lives saved thanks to a decision made at 16.
In Soar, Adam, Soar, Adam’s father, a former priest, retells Adam’s story alongside his son’s own words. From early childhood, through coming out first as a lesbian and then as a man, and his battles with epilepsy and refusal to give in, the book chronicles Adam’s drive to define himself, his joyful spirit, and his love of life, which continues to conquer all.
Rick Prashaw has had a diverse career as a journalist, Catholic priest, executive director of a national NGO, and political staff to members of Parliament. He is a winner of the National Ron Wiebe Restorative Justice Award. Rick lives in Ottawa.
Rick Prashaw is available for interview.
Advanced praise for Soar, Adam, Soar:
“Soar, Adam, Soar is a gorgeous autobiography. Rick Prashaw's unique approach to co-authoring with his late son and his threading together of social media posts into a cohesive narrative is so fresh and exciting. The themes of non-conforming gender identity, the varied pressure of academia, and the lonely-yet-public stage of social media offers instructors multiple opportunities to bring theory to life. More broadly, the challenges of young adulthood will resonate with many post-secondary readers."
– Jennifer Ball; Professor of Sociology, Humber College
“A moving, powerful, valuable book because of its story, but more importantly because of the intensity of the first-person account of Adam’s life and legacy provided by the author…Though I read much of the book through tears, I came away moved by the joy with which Adam lived and that his spirit continues to inspire…The overwhelming message of Soar, Adam, Soar is that Adam’s love of life conquered and continues to conquer all.” – Dr. Colleen Humbert, editor and academic
“Soar, Adam, Soar is a deeply moving account of tragedy and triumph. Parts of this tale are so compellingly unique that they are hard to imagine. Yet, at the same time, it is a story of love and courage that it is universally recognizable. Thank you, Rick Prashaw, for your raw honesty.” – Alex Munter; CEO, Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario
“Adam's story is incredibly rich and very moving…Like any great piece of drama, this story deserves to be heard by a huge audience.” – Ernest Zulia, American playwright
Key Points:
The moving true story of a transgender man’s life, told through his social media posts and in the words of his father, a priest-turned-dad
Adam, born Rebecca, had identified as a man and been transitioning for years before he died in a tragic accident, leaving behind unfinished stories his father retells, using his son’s words as much as possible
Details the highs and lows of Adam’s bumpy life — being assigned female at birth, questioning first his sexuality and then his gender, and struggling with epilepsy, all while living with a disarming intensity and directness
A story in which the parents and loved ones of transgender people may see a little of themselves, and which centres the authenticity of Adam’s own experience
Told with sensitivity, compassion, and candour. Author strives to represent Adam as his son would have represented himself
Soar, Adam, Soar is available from Dundurn Press and also Amazon.com
Biography / LGBT/Parenting/Faith/Organ Donor/Grief
256 pages; TP; 22 black & white illustrations
9781459742765 / $22.00