Portal or Hole: Meditations on Art, Religion, Race and the Pandemic, by Pamela M. Connell, began as an exploration of the art of self-portrait, and evolved to considerations of popular psychology, particularly personality types, and tendencies, such as introversion, introspection, and self-centeredness. Ultimately, during months of pandemic isolation, the final chapter emerged as a diaristic chronicle of life during the coronavirus primarily in two midwestern cities: Peoria and Des Moines. In Portal or Hole, the candor of the writing, the poignancy of the story, and the author’s narrative-style pictures will hook the reader.

Pamela highlights her perceptions of the introvert life experience, lockdown, and coronavirus; also, observations about the 2020 presidential campaign, culture wars, climate change, systemic racial injustice and disability.