Moving

“Moving Stills” are masterfully written stories narrated by Paula Ostrowitz, the first-born of Jewish parents obsessed with IQ and determined that she fulfill their unrealized ambitions. After a tempestuous adolescence, Paula marries an emotionally reserved pathologist who is most passionate about research. The reader is saddened as Paula joins the ranks of literary heroines such as Dorothea Brooks (Middlemarch) and Isabel Archer (Portrait of a Lady) whose mettle is tested by making a disastrous marriage. We root for her as we have for her antecedents. In Paula Ostrowitz, Marcia Slatkin has created a heroine who captivates and enthralls. We will follow her anywhere.

— Alice Elman, Professor of English

Suffolk Community College, LI, NY

Moving Stills is a collection of 38 interconnected short stories that together trace the emotional and psychological journey of Paula, the fictional narrator, as she moves from a bold, spirited teenager to a woman grappling with fear, pain, and eventual healing. The stories explore the origins of Paula’s struggles—including moments of raw vulnerability and life’s challenges—and follow her progression toward better understanding herself and finding a path toward resilience and health. libroworld.com +1 Written in a direct, fast-paced style with vivid dialogue and imagery, the narrative balances honest emotional depth with humor and philosophical reflection. Although inspired by events from the author’s life, the voice remains fictional and distinct, offering insights into universal experiences of pain, growth, and self-discovery.