Berger's journey into the great wide open

Author and musician Bruce Berger epitomises the literary troubadour. He was recently in Mumbai and spoke to DNA

Poet, writer and pianist - Bruce Berger is a Jack, and master of all these trades. Which does he prefer? "I love working on all three, and have no favourites." This soft-spoken, salty-haired gentleman puts you at ease immediately with a warm handshake and a genuine smile. Copies of some of his works lie on a table before him and he talks about each one of them.

Born and brought up in Chicago, Berger's school life was spent taking breaks from school and roaming the US South: Arizona, Hawaii, California etc. "My father had difficulty breathing the Chicago air, so we were always taking holidays. I am technically hotel-bred." After completing his homework, he would spend his time roaming the countryside, coming across animals like jackrabbits, roadrunners and plants like cacti. "It was at that time that I felt my real connection was with nature."

It's a connection that reflects in his books and is the reason he considers himself "part-environmentalist". After completing his BA in English at Yale University, Berger went through two semesters at Berkeley before dropping out. "I found the course level much lower than what I learned earlier; it wasn't challenging enough," he whispers conspiratorially. Imagine working on one act of Shakespeare's Anthony and Cleopatra for three months. Stuck in such a situation he chucked his books down the library chute and left!

His idea was to travel around the Mediterranean with a friend. But, sometimes the best-laid plans go awry, and Berger was left alone in Spain with his car and his dog. He took up a job at El Oasis nightclub as a pianist. Returning to New York, he shuttled between playing at concerts and penning his experiences. A large amount of Berger's work is focused in and around Aspen, Colorado, his adoptive hometown and his favourite too. "My half sister has a home there [Aspen] and I used to visit her often. I found the perfect home next to hers - a log cabin, with a stream running next to it and mountains in the background."

Berger started writing poems and essays, and even contemplated a career as a literary critic. Regarding his style of writing, he says, "I write non-fiction, using fiction techniques, something similar to fables." Besides essays, Berger has also published volumes of poetry - Facing the Music and narrative non-fiction like Almost An Island and Music in the Mountains. The latter, chronicles the history of the Aspen Music Festival that began in 1949 as a means to rediscover its lost German culture. The festival brought together greats like Albert Schweitzer for lectures and concerts.

Though never a performer, Berger was a frequent visitor. He recalls an incident involving the US Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice. "She came to Aspen as a music student and thought her piano recitals were very good. On reaching there and performing, she realised that the others could run [sic] circles around her," he chuckles. Speaking of Rice, does Berger have a favourite in the upcoming presidential elections? "I have supported Obama from the beginning, but I think he made a mistake by not choosing Hillary Clinton as his vice-president."

Berger's latest book Oasis of Stone: Visions of Baja California Sur won the 2006 Colorado Authors' League Award for Specialty Writing.

Books apart, Berger's articles and essays have appeared in the New York Times, Sierra, Orion and numerous literary quarterlies. His ongoing works include an essay on Iberia and a short series on Baja California with a more philosophical approach. Playing classical music is a passion that Berger enjoys. "I only play classical music and that too for benefits."
Berger is on his first visit to India and is busy taking notes. "I went to Mussorie and absolutely loved the place. It was so open and green and very similar to where I live in Aspen." He plans on coming down again to visit India's deserts. Who knows, if he finds them inspiring enough, a volume on Indian deserts could soon be adorning bookshelves here and abroad. 
l_joanna@dnaindia.net