Welcome to Alfred J

I entered The Wisdom of Les Miserables: Lessons From the Heart of Jean Valjean in the 17th Annual Writer's Digest Self-Published Book Awards (Inspirational category). Although the book did not win a prize, it got high marks in every category and merited the following comment from the contest judge:
"Even Victor Hugo himself might be surprised (very pleasantly) at the depths and
discoveries his memorable characters evoked in his readers, especially Mr. Garrotto.
Those who have seen the stirring, moving musical and know the thoughtful lyrics would
understand where the author is going, but he takes us further, deeper via the main
character, using Jean Valjean as a moral compass for us all, a dedicated, principled,
selfless man from whom we can learn a lot about ourselves."

My Favorite Books of 2010 (to date)

2010 Fiction (to date) = Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese
2010 Fiction (Audio Book) (to date) = The Lightkeeper’s Daughter by Iain Lawrence
2010 Nonfiction (to date) = The Naked Now by Richard Rohr
2010 Nonfiction (Audio Book) (to date) = [none yet]

Not a 2010 favorite, but still a good read . . .
The Girl With a Dragon Tattoo
by Stieg Larsson

Most Recent Blog Posts: I invite you to visit my blog site,
"The Wisdom of Les Miserables."
I have posted
"Highjacked by a Great Novel."

The August 9, 2009, post at Pleasant Hill Book Club features an interview with me.
I am grateful to Adam Kondonijakos for his kindness in providing Contra Costa County (CA)
authors with this platform. I hope you'll drop by to read this "tell all" interview.

What can a 21st century seeker learn about life, love, and spirituality
from a 19th century French novel?
Plenty!

"I offer Victor Hugo’s flawed protagonist as a model for anyone in search of practical wisdom for everyday living.
One of fiction’s most beloved characters, the former convict and life-long fugitive,
represents humanity in both its brokenness and its potential for selfless—even saintly—living.

"Reflection topics range from forgiveness and the primacy of conscience to the joys and sorrows of parenthood. Each Reflection explores a universal theme, including the daily call to spiritual and moral conversion and the life-lessons parents impart to their children. Questions at the end of each Reflection invite you to use the book as your personal wisdom journal.

"I have authored four religious nonfiction books and five novels. My experience as teacher and spiritual guide has prepared me to harvest the deeper meaning of Les Miserables and apply its inspiring message to modern daily life." -- Alfred J. Garrotto

San Francisco Bay Area graphic designer Douglas M. Lawson created the stunning cover art for the book.

Trade paperback, 248 pages, US$20.00, Published by Lulu Press, Inc., March 2008

Ron Hansen, author of the bestselling novels, Exiles, Atticus, Mariette in Ecstasy,
The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, Nebraska
and nonfiction works, including my own personal favorite, Faith and Fiction,
says about The Wisdom of Les Miserables:

“Alfred J. Garrotto incorporates the text of Victor Hugo's
Les Miserables and creates a workbook out of the lessons Jean Valjean
taught through his life . . . . I particularly admired the author’s pithy answer
to the truth of fiction. I'll be ‘stealing’ that from him in the future.”
Mr. Hansen's photograph by Charles Barry

"Alfred J. Garrotto has succeeded brilliantly in distilling the wisdom of a nineteenth century classic novel
and using it to illuminate our twenty-first century lives. This part autobiography / part spiritual handbook
seems to me a classic in its own right, one that stands on the shoulders of another classic."
Poet Tom Savignano, A Time To Ponder, A Time to Sing and Prayers and Reminiscences

"An elegant collection of inspirational meditations and exercises."
Darryl Brock, bestselling author of If I Never Get Back, Havana Heat and Two in the Field.

                        "I especially like the journaling feature--those thoughts that come to us intuitively
                        when something fires our imagination so often get lost, but you've provided a very handy way
                        for preserving them."
                       Maureen Boyd Biro, Author, Walking With Maga (All About Kids Publishing)

“I found The Wisdom of Les Miserables enlightening on so many levels. I read your book
into the middle of the night until it was done! The whole book has my yellow highlighter marks and comments
in the margins! Then, I went back, over the next week, and read it again,
making notes and answering the questions you provided....What a growing experience!
I appreciated having that option to go deeper with the concepts and to use them in my own spiritual journey.”
Pamela Ward, former Director, Bay Area Adoption Services, Inc.

"I am enjoying the personal spiritual journey [The Wisdom of Les Miserables] offers.
It packs a big punch right in my heart. I would recommend it to anyone wants
to explore a deeper meaning in their life. I am an eclectic reader,
and a fan of Alfred J. Garrotto's books."
Reviewed on Amazon.com by “madm”

"The author’s sharing of his own conversion, as he leads the reader through his reflection on the
major changes in the life of Jean Valjean, helped me reflect on my own conversion.
The Wisdom of Les Miserables enabled me to see, through the mosaic of my life’s experiences,
how I've changed from what I was to who I am today. The book also leads me to reflect
on how I need to continue to change in order to become the person I was created to be."
Deacon Al Fleischer, St. Ignatius Church, Antioch, CA

"The questions are so thought provoking . . . . Thank you for making me stretch and grow."
Sharon McKee

"A powerful, profound, honest book! The Wisdom of Les Miserables reveals a path to transformation for each of us."
Artist Helen Tiernan, Benicia, CA

I am grateful to B. Lynn Goodwin, whose outstanding website, Writer Advice (Oct. - Dec. 2008)
features a review of The Wisdom of Les Miserables.
Take a look at: http://www.writeradvice.com/hooked.html.

Down a Narrow Alley
Circles of Stone
I'll Paint a Sun
Finding Isabella
A Love Forbidden

"Writing a novel is like driving a car at night.
You can only see as far as your headlights,
but you can make the whole trip that way."
E. L. Doctorow

Fellow authors,
I recommend Authors Den website for marketing your work.
Visit my personal den at www.authorsden.com/alfredjgarrottohtm
where you can also purchase my books.

The California Writers Club
is an organization of professional writers, founded in 1909 by a group that included the great Jack London.
I am the proud recipient of the
California Writers Club
Jack London Award
(2001)
and
Mt. Diablo Branch's
Distinguished Service Award
(2009)

I am pleased to serve on the
board of directors of the
150+-member Mt. Diablo Branch

California Writers Club--100 Years of Great Writing!
founded in 1909 by an elite group of California authors
including the legendary Jack London.

In addition to my many other involvements,
I continue to be active as a lay minister
at Christ the King Church, Pleasant Hill, CA.
(www.ctkph.org)

"To Hear the Gospel and Make a Difference"