Woman At Otowi Crossing

This reissued classic by one of the Southwest's finest writers tells the story of Helen Chalmers and her psychic and physical connections to the secret development of the atomic bomb. Helen's spiritual journey, based on the life of Edith Warner, begins the day that she discovers she has cancer. Because of the psychic powers that she gradually harnesses, she becomes a myth. Helen evolves into the Woman at Otowi Crossing--called "witch" by the Mexicans--who predicts events and thus changes the outlook of those in charge of nuclear testing. An assertion of spirit over matter takes place within her. This serves as a metaphor for the disastrous cosmic possibilities inherent in the misuse of the atom's energy. At Helen's death, the metaphor changes to the atom's radiance as a potential maker of worlds. --Susan Swartwout