Cathlamet native writes of mission work

Myrna Brown, née Fudge, who graduated from Wahkiakum High School in 1962, has written her first book, a romance, Of Unseen Things Above.

Drawing from experience and imagination, Brown tells the story of a young woman named Thea from Cathlamet who feels called at a young age to mission work in Africa. Thea’s life and purpose is challenged by the people she meets, people whose struggles with health, poverty, and hunger become more immediate than her promise to her patrons at home to build a church. She also finds love in the most unexpected place, challenging her faith even more.

“I have long wanted to try writing a book, and I did it for my own pleasure,” Brown said. “I hope it brings pleasure to others, especially those who can identify with Thea in the story.”

The story has its own rhythm and once I adjusted, the characters were interesting, likable and easily came to life. The descriptions of home were bright, especially in the shared knowledge between the writer and this reader of the places and people. I only wished to know the characters better.

Brown, the daughter of Andrew and Ruth Fudge, worked in West Africa along with her first husband for seven years. She returned home and earned two degrees, a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Nursing Science Degree. She is married to a retired Air Force Brigadier General and lives in North Carolina. She has three daughters.

The book is available through Amazon.com.