Mary G

North of Crazy, the fascinating memoir of Wyoming abstract artist Neltje Doubleday Savage Kings, granddaughter of Frank N. Doubleday and an heiress to the Doubleday fortune, reveals how Neltje achieved her present status as an artist and fulfilled her suppressed but internalized childhood goals for life: a loving family, freedom from her assigned and expected way of life, and self-fulfillment through her chosen form of communication.

Uncomfortable as an accomplished female member of New York publishing-world society, Neltje moved to Wyoming at age 30 and explored various forms of art, as well as running a working ranch, remodeling a historic hotel and managing it as a restaurant, all while raising two children with the love and care which was denied her in a limited and abusive childhood.

Neltje is an intriguing woman who exhibits surprising abilities, strength, integrity and soundness of character, despite the lack of supportive love and exemplary guidance from the adults in her past life. Her story is told without self-pity for the hard-knocks or boastfulness for her successes. More of the emotions and reasons for some of her choices would enhance the readers' perspective. However, the story of this admirable woman comes through strongly despite the somewhat disorganized nature of the text. This book will be of interest to many because of the universal themes: the search for love and family; a woman's fight for recognition in a world of successful men; the desire for personal control of one's own life; and the successful use of a medium which resonates with people to express emotions and feelings.