Attachment Patterns

by Stephen Metcalfe

Is the artist, Robert Boone, crazy? As his daughter, 24-year-old aspiring novelist, Isolde Boone (Holdie), tells us, he sure doesn’t think so. Okay, yes, he recently found himself in the hospital loudly declaring he wanted to die. But that was a glitch, a moment of unexplained weakness, of post-pandemic exhaustion. He says he’s fine now, calm, stoic and self-possessed as always. Only the doctors don’t believe him. They’ve insisted he enroll in a three week, out-patient, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy program. Which is? Psychotherapy in which negative patterns of thought are challenged to address behavior patterns and mood disorders. With no choice now, Robert Boone will reluctantly look at his life. Over three weeks of confession, tears, romance and, yes, humor, Robert Boone’s past, his work, his unspoken fears and grief and his relationships both old and new will all be brought to the surface through his daughter’s voice. As his daughter Holdie says: “It goes without saying that anything I’ve told you so far and will tell you from this moment on was disclosed to me, confided in me, remembered by me, surmised by me and in some cases (okay, more than some) totally and completely made up. (By me.) Still, all of it is the God’s truth.” Is Robert Boone crazy? In the current world, isn’t everybody? We’ll find out.

233 pages, Paperback

Published April 29, 2023

About the author

Stephen Metcalfe’s writing career has encompassed theater, film and fiction. His first novel, THE TRAGIC AGE, was published by St. Martin’s Press in March of 2015. His second novel, THE PRACTICAL NAVIGATOR, will be released by St. Martin’s in August, 2016. He has also written a fantasy novel both for children and the child in ever adult, THE WELL OF EVERY AFTER, that he will self publish in 2017. His stage plays include LOVES & HOURS, VIKINGS, STRANGE SNOW, SORROWS AND SONS, PILGRIMS, HALF A LIFETIME, EMILY, WHITE LINEN, THE INCREDIBLY FAMOUS WILLY RIVERS, WHITE MAN DANCING, A WORLD OF THEIR OWN and THE GIFT TELLER. He has been produced in New York and at regional theaters throughout the United States as well as in Europe and Japan. Screen credits include HALF A LIFETIME, COUSINS (with Isabella Rossellini and Ted Danson), JACKNIFE (with Robert De Niro and Ed Harris), ROOMMATES, EL ABUELO and BEAUTIFUL JOE (with Billy Connelly and Sharon Stone). He also wrote the production drafts of PRETTY WOMAN, ARACHNOPHOBIA, IT COULD HAPPEN TO YOU, DANGEROUS MINDS, THE MARRYING MAN and MR. HOLLAND’S OPUS. Other screenplays include TIME FLIES, THE OLD BOY, JONAH, THE INFIELD, THE HARROWER, SCYLLA, PASSING FANCY, ROCK, PAPER, BONE and AN INNOCENT ABROAD.


He is an Associate Artist at The Old Globe Theatre in San Diego and has been an adjunct professor in dramatic writing at University of California at San Diego, University of San Diego and San Diego State University.

Reviews

[Stephen Metcalfe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Attachment Patterns by Stephen Metcalfe is a fantastic book that deserves a rating of 4 out of 5 stars. I recommend this book to readers who enjoy emotionally charged stories. The book provides a pungent commentary on the pervasive issue of mental health in our society today. Anyone seeking closure or strength to fight on in the face of mental health challenges would appreciate the candor and rawness of this book. It's a compelling read that sheds light on the struggles that many people face silently and serves as a source of inspiration and hope.
--- Online Book Club