Old Rhodian, Marc Schroeder launched his debut novel, Sleeping with Dogs: A Tale of Madness, in Grahamstown at NELM (National English Literacy) on the 31st May. The launch was riveting with Marc reading excerpts from his book and literally leaving the audience with Cliff Hangers.
The novel follows Schroeder’s life – from his childhood days attending Selborne Primary School and College and his crazy student life at Rhodes University in Grahamstown, to a seemingly fulfilled adult life as a financial analyst.
He seemed to have it all – the house, the car, the job – but behind Schroeder’s perceived successful veneer lay a deep-seated unhappiness that he attempted to drown out with the use of drugs.
The book offers a descriptive account of Schroeder’s struggle with his toxic drug addiction.
“There is a lot in this book, but the one thing I hope people take away from it is the concept of fear and how it impacts you and your life,” said Schroeder.
“For years I was ‘locked in a dungeon’ as an undercover drug addict because I feared what people would think.I had so many doubts and fears about what I was doing with my life and drugs were my coping mechanism.”
Schroeder expresses these fears through the re-telling of his whirlwind life, sharing his travels, battle with addiction, stints in rehab, many failed attempts to sober up and finally recounting his journey to happiness.
It was only when Schroeder quit his job, gave up everything and bought a one-way ticket to India, that his healing truly began.
“The only thing that anchored me in life was my dogs. They were the single most valuable thing I had and it was really tough to give them up.
“The title of the book is inspired by them and the book is dedicated to them.”
In 2016, he found himself in the Kashmir Himalayas where he undertook a month long detox in an Indian Ayurvedic and yoga centre. This is where Schroeder began his year-long journey of writing Sleeping with Dogs.
He has since built a full and happy life for himself in Nepal, where he has launched the Kashmir Trekking Company, partnering with a local Kashmir guide, Aslam Mota.
In writing his debut novel, Schroeder has realised a childhood dream, one that had faded when he started living for success in capitalist terms. He is already busy writing his second book.
To buy the book, contact Marc at doggleton7@gmail.com Cell: 078 283 1676
Also available on Amazon, Smashwords and Takealot.
Source: https://www.goexpress.co.za/2018/05/06/of-mountains-and-madness/
hroeder’s life – from his childhood days attending Selborne Primary School and College and his crazy student life at Rhodes University in Grahamstown, to a seemingly fulfilled adult life as a financial analyst.
He seemed to have it all – the house, the car, the job – but behind Schroeder’s perceived successful veneer lay a deep-seated unhappiness that he attempted to drown out with the use of drugs.
The book offers a descriptive account of Schroeder’s struggle with his toxic drug addiction.
“There is a lot in this book, but the one thing I hope people take away from it is the concept of fear and how it impacts you and your life,” said Schroeder.
“For years I was ‘locked in a dungeon’ as an undercover drug addict because I feared what people would think.I had so many doubts and fears about what I was doing with my life and drugs were my coping mechanism.”
Schroeder expresses these fears through the re-telling of his whirlwind life, sharing his travels, battle with addiction, stints in rehab, many failed attempts to sober up and finally recounting his journey to happiness.
It was only when Schroeder quit his job, gave up everything and bought a one-way ticket to India, that his healing truly began.
“The only thing that anchored me in life was my dogs. They were the single most valuable thing I had and it was really tough to give them up.
“The title of the book is inspired by them and the book is dedicated to them.”
In 2016, he found himself in the Kashmir Himalayas where he undertook a month long detox in an Indian Ayurvedic and yoga centre. This is where Schroeder began his year-long journey of writing Sleeping with Dogs.
He has since built a full and happy life for himself in Nepal, where he has launched the Kashmir Trekking Company, partnering with a local Kashmir guide, Aslam Mota.
In writing his debut novel, Schroeder has realised a childhood dream, one that had faded when he started living for success in capitalist terms. He is already busy writing his second book.
To buy the book, contact Marc at doggleton7@gmail.com Cell: 078 283 1676
Also available on Amazon, Smashwords and Takealot.
Source: https://www.goexpress.co.za/2018/05/06/of-mountains-and-madness/