Lakewood Local Publishes 'Love Declaration To Two Nations'

LAKEWOOD, WA - Since arriving in the United States in 2010, German-born American citizen Susanne Bacon has fielded all manner of questions on the differences between both countries. After several years of answering those questions as they came, in 2017 Bacon started logging her responses in writing, beginning what would two years later become a series of essays on her German-American insights, experiences, and observations.

Published around Valentine's Day in February, "Home From Home: German-American Essays" is a "love declaration to two nations," Bacon told Patch this week, noting that when reviewing the differences she's observed between "here and over there, I found something lovable about both places."

Officially her sixth published book, "Home From Home" is Bacon's first foray into non-fiction, she said. Bacon's previous novels are described as romance, though in June she'll release a novel titled "Haunted Homes," which explores the deeply moving and sometimes traumatic experiences that seem to haunt families for years.

For "Home From Home," however, Bacon sought to bridge a gap in understanding between her friends and family in Germany and those around the Puget Sound.

Formerly a military wife and Key spouse at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, providing liaison services between 600 military families and the squadron commander, Bacon said she used to be shy about admitting her German ancestry — though the topic often came up when strangers would acknowledge her accent.

Her home country's "horrendous past" typically prevented Bacon from saying too much, she said, but over time she came to find the Americans she'd meet thought less of Germany's 20th Century mark on history than she did herself.

Now, with the political climate and social atmosphere in the U.S. going downhill as of late, Bacon felt "Home From Home" would be a perfect opportunity to spread goodwill, friendship, and mindfulness throughout the nation — as much as one person could, anyway.

Incidentally, 2019 is also the year to officially celebrate the history of German-American partnerships.

The "Wunderbar Together" initiative is being funded by the German Federal Foreign Office, which hopes to "renew the dialogue with our American friends about the importance of our relationship and how we can shape it for the future," according to the initiative's website, wunderbartogether.org.

Bacon said her book's release and the timing of the Wunderbar Together initiative was unplanned and purely serendipitous.

"I just wanted to put out something non-controversial, that's entertaining, and that makes your mind wonder," Bacon said. "This book really opens the door into the lives of German-Americans."

Published in both German and English, "Home From Home" has been well-received by readers in both countries, Bacon said. Interestingly, the only difference she's noticed between readers is that Germans want to read the English version "for the full experience," she said, noting she originally wrote the essays in English and believes some of her anecdotes may lose something in translation.

Among Bacon's observations are crabbing in Washington, which is non-existent and publicly prohibited in Germany; and eating corn, which is "a no-go for older Germans who think of corn as pig feed."

Bacon also discusses holidays, shopping, recreation, and general, everyday life.

Reader responses have been both humorous and interesting, Bacon said. In fact, after reading the crabbing essay, a Puget Sound resident sent Bacon a letter listing the best places to go crabbing in the area.

"I've gotten wonderful reactions (from readers)," Bacon said. "It's inspired me to continue writing my observations for another book."

"Home From Home: German-American Essays" is available in paperback on Amazon for $14. Bacon currently has both book-signings and reading events scheduled for April 13 and 17, respectively.

For more information on either event, visit Bacon's Facebook page at facebook.com/pg/susannebaconauthor.

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