Speaking of clear written expression, I was struck by your reference to Rebecca West's phrase in “The New Meaning of Treason,”
"Uniforms were worn that were not really uniforms, that at once claimed and flouted authority, as adolescence does …"
What an apt description of today's Proud Boys, Oath Keepers, and Three Percenters. As members of armed right wing gangs, they wear their costumes to threaten force and disregard norms and institutions. The problem is they're not adolescents, and they're not just playing dress up. They're intent on not abandoning their play-acting as they "stand back and stand by."
Leaving aside the political aspect of your finely-worded piece, reading can serve so many purposes.
For me and at least one friend who, like me, is a very poor reader, book groups provide terrific discipline to force us to explore many topics in books that we would not ordinarily address, e.g. the WW2 Cambridge 5 British spies, the drug culture of West Virginia-Kentucky, Jim Thorpe, and the origins of Impressionism. (I am in 3 book groups; otherwise, I would not read a book a year.). One of my long-time fellow book group members is a writer himself,and he views his wonderfully researched non fiction books as a “refuge” from some family health challenges that dominate his time.
Will, if you weren’t already a hero to me for your caregiving the admirable reading list would do it.
I’m more of a nonfiction reader and am working through Alan Taylor’s wonderful works on the history of our country. Slowly we do arrive at a better place than where we might be at the moment.
I immediately thought of William Boyd’s The Romantic-a tale of a 19th century man with all of the twists and turns in his life from birth to death. Once I realized I could laugh instead of judge constantly, I enjoyed this book.
As forgetting over takes memory, at 87 I find reading whole novels difficult. But short stories work well. I read a few a day. Amazing how many novelists wrote them.
omg, will! you simply must read more mcphee, whose work i’ve admired for a half century. he is an extdaordinary craftsman and, from what i can tell, an admirable human being. in fact, i found his geology series the least accessible of all his work. as a start, let me recommend “encounters with the archdruid.” if you don’t like that one, feel free to ignore everything i’ve said.
Thank you for your very powerful descriptions of what you are reading....lol, to escape the news??..... where and why and how we have become where we are at this frighteningly repetitive time. History repeats but in alternative ways. I'm feeling guilty for my escape into "cheerful" novels!!!
Yes, we want to escape our anxiety. As we contemplate the even chance of a cruel and profane wannabe dictator ascending to power this November, our anxiety rises.
But our concern is rational. Make good use of our anxiety. It’s our heads telling our hearts to take action — to stand up, speak out, vote, resist.
I agree that reading great writing, (non-fiction or fiction) is as transformative as integrating the newly acquired thought processes we've gained from it and from our own life experiences, as the act and process of writing is, even if it is never intended for public view.
My own experience is a bit reversed from yours: learning about shocking, racist and classist covert U.S. government sanctioned actions, and immoral and grubby religious businesses, then being disillusioned in some liberal/leftist organizations and their all too narcissistic and hypocritical "leaders".
I do believe in the ideal state of a true democracy and in equal justice and in a humane humanity. These are unfortunately still ideals, yet in many ways these ideals influence our daily actions. That is why your and many others' courageous writing (journalistic or personal) is so important and uplifting to so many of us, and why we so hungrily feed on their truths. Thank you, always.
Thank you, Will, for your own "clear written expression"--and your voluminous reading. I haven't read Thackeray or any old English novelists (like Tristram Shandy) since college....and I loved but haven't picked up George Eliot's deep and wonderful Middlemarch for years, but you inspire me with where your mind and heart go, moving between books and our present reality with "demonic possession" and people falling under the power of those who would do evil and the sham and scam actors ranting conspiracy theories and the "propensity of violence" roused everyday by Trump, Stefanik and Maga. You have a book with all your honest and moving stories about Bella and your readings taking you both back in history and present in our reality. I think of President Carter's "faith" to do all he can do,wherever he can, for as long as he can. You are a doing that beautifully...not "vanity" but being present and open.
I love "Middlemarch." I've also read "The Mill on the Floss" by her, and I think she's brilliant. She and Jane Austen are right at the top of novelists in the English language, in my opinion.
I think George Eliot is brilliant...with a deep heart and incredible empathy and understanding of character. I read all her books, from Adam Bede to Daniel Deronda. and also the history of early women authors who used pseudonyms--both Brontes--so as not to be judged as a "woman.: Interestingly Marianne Evans was a writer for a magazine but no one recognized her as George Eliot till she revealed herself when some ignorant Bishop claimed authorship. It's hard for students to read an 800 page novel, but i taught middlemarch because I, like you, loved her voice. There are also some brilliant short story writers i never knew when i was an undergraduate but who i finally "found" and had them as part of a women in literature course. Toni Morrison talked about "the canon of literature" and said it was "the masters' canon"--white men. and Elizabeth Minnich in her Transforming Education talked about those who criticized inclusion of women as a lessening of excellence confusing "exclusion" from excellence. Thanks, Will, for your wise readings. And were you, by any chance, a lilterautre major
I like Toni Morrison's literary critiques better than her actual literature. I did go through a Morrison phase and read several of her novels. At the time, I liked how lush they are, but I became disillusioned and now consider her writing unnecessarily and extravagantly descriptive and complex.
I taught The Bluest Eye--direct, simple. And I felt the power of her Beloved on different levels...but complex. One of my favorite novels to teach was Zora Neale Hurston's Their Eyes Were Watching God...a wonderful story of women coming into voice...
I love Austen, which I have read and re-read. But can't stand Eliot. We had to read Silas Marner in 9th grade and it almost put me off 19th century literature for ever. Fortunately I reminded myself that I grew up on 19th century literature and loved it (Twain, Kipling, some of Alcott, etc.)
No author is for everyone, so it's good there are so many books! My mom, a great reader, said she has tried to read "Middlemarch" numerous times and can't get through it. Too dreary. Although I don't think I've ever heard anyone complain about Jane Austen. Her prose is so sparkling.
Will, thanks for the detailed tour of your recent reading. I'm glad you liked John McPhee's "Rising From The Plains." It reminded me that "red" states like Wyoming contain more than Trump voters--interesting history, natural beauty, non-maga conservatives like Liz Cheney, and even a few Democrats.
Agreed, Will, that reading is not only enjoyable and informative. It can also be therapeutic. I like your simile that reading is like “water for the parched mind.”
As to the fall of the USSR, when I was in the Soviet Union in 1990, a year before what I call the “Second Revolution,” I saw signs of the disintegration of the USSR. The Soviet Republics of Ukraine and Estonia were already clamoring for independence. The “hammer and sickle” flags had come down and their national flags were flying high. People, in our conversations, voiced their frustration with the Soviet system. A year before we arrived, Gorbachev had instituted “glasnost” (openness)
and ”perestroika” (restructuring). In the SR of Russia there were signs of economic frustration and emotional exhaustion caused by the Soviet long term involvement in Afghanistan and the withdrawal a few years before. The fall of the USSR took more than President Reagan simply saying in Berlin, “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!” (I believe Reagan saw the handwriting on the wall). More could be said, but that’s enough.
While on the subject of books, I want to recommend that I'm currently reading entitled spiritual journals by the Dutch Catholic priest and theologian Henri Nouwen. In this book he recounts the story of a 4 year old girl who mourned the death of a sparrow. At the funeral service that she insisted on having, she said this prayer: "Dear God, we have buried this little sparrow. now you be good to her or I will kill you" When her father asked why she had threatened God the girl replied: "I just want to be sure".
I thought that this little says a lot about our feelings when we are losing or lose a loved one.
Speaking of clear written expression, I was struck by your reference to Rebecca West's phrase in “The New Meaning of Treason,”
"Uniforms were worn that were not really uniforms, that at once claimed and flouted authority, as adolescence does …"
What an apt description of today's Proud Boys, Oath Keepers, and Three Percenters. As members of armed right wing gangs, they wear their costumes to threaten force and disregard norms and institutions. The problem is they're not adolescents, and they're not just playing dress up. They're intent on not abandoning their play-acting as they "stand back and stand by."
...excellent- and lucid: in both thought and expression / [and ominous]...
Leaving aside the political aspect of your finely-worded piece, reading can serve so many purposes.
For me and at least one friend who, like me, is a very poor reader, book groups provide terrific discipline to force us to explore many topics in books that we would not ordinarily address, e.g. the WW2 Cambridge 5 British spies, the drug culture of West Virginia-Kentucky, Jim Thorpe, and the origins of Impressionism. (I am in 3 book groups; otherwise, I would not read a book a year.). One of my long-time fellow book group members is a writer himself,and he views his wonderfully researched non fiction books as a “refuge” from some family health challenges that dominate his time.
-dave nathan
It's always good to have a reason to do something you want to do.
Will, if you weren’t already a hero to me for your caregiving the admirable reading list would do it.
I’m more of a nonfiction reader and am working through Alan Taylor’s wonderful works on the history of our country. Slowly we do arrive at a better place than where we might be at the moment.
Alan Taylor? the name doesn't sound familiar.
I immediately thought of William Boyd’s The Romantic-a tale of a 19th century man with all of the twists and turns in his life from birth to death. Once I realized I could laugh instead of judge constantly, I enjoyed this book.
Where is a good MAD Magazine when you need one?
Mad was (is?) the best
As forgetting over takes memory, at 87 I find reading whole novels difficult. But short stories work well. I read a few a day. Amazing how many novelists wrote them.
Short stories can really pack a punch.
omg, will! you simply must read more mcphee, whose work i’ve admired for a half century. he is an extdaordinary craftsman and, from what i can tell, an admirable human being. in fact, i found his geology series the least accessible of all his work. as a start, let me recommend “encounters with the archdruid.” if you don’t like that one, feel free to ignore everything i’ve said.
Thanks for the recommendation. I'll check it out.
Thank you for your very powerful descriptions of what you are reading....lol, to escape the news??..... where and why and how we have become where we are at this frighteningly repetitive time. History repeats but in alternative ways. I'm feeling guilty for my escape into "cheerful" novels!!!
Yes, we want to escape our anxiety. As we contemplate the even chance of a cruel and profane wannabe dictator ascending to power this November, our anxiety rises.
But our concern is rational. Make good use of our anxiety. It’s our heads telling our hearts to take action — to stand up, speak out, vote, resist.
Dear Will,
I agree that reading great writing, (non-fiction or fiction) is as transformative as integrating the newly acquired thought processes we've gained from it and from our own life experiences, as the act and process of writing is, even if it is never intended for public view.
My own experience is a bit reversed from yours: learning about shocking, racist and classist covert U.S. government sanctioned actions, and immoral and grubby religious businesses, then being disillusioned in some liberal/leftist organizations and their all too narcissistic and hypocritical "leaders".
I do believe in the ideal state of a true democracy and in equal justice and in a humane humanity. These are unfortunately still ideals, yet in many ways these ideals influence our daily actions. That is why your and many others' courageous writing (journalistic or personal) is so important and uplifting to so many of us, and why we so hungrily feed on their truths. Thank you, always.
Thank you, Will, for your own "clear written expression"--and your voluminous reading. I haven't read Thackeray or any old English novelists (like Tristram Shandy) since college....and I loved but haven't picked up George Eliot's deep and wonderful Middlemarch for years, but you inspire me with where your mind and heart go, moving between books and our present reality with "demonic possession" and people falling under the power of those who would do evil and the sham and scam actors ranting conspiracy theories and the "propensity of violence" roused everyday by Trump, Stefanik and Maga. You have a book with all your honest and moving stories about Bella and your readings taking you both back in history and present in our reality. I think of President Carter's "faith" to do all he can do,wherever he can, for as long as he can. You are a doing that beautifully...not "vanity" but being present and open.
I love "Middlemarch." I've also read "The Mill on the Floss" by her, and I think she's brilliant. She and Jane Austen are right at the top of novelists in the English language, in my opinion.
I think George Eliot is brilliant...with a deep heart and incredible empathy and understanding of character. I read all her books, from Adam Bede to Daniel Deronda. and also the history of early women authors who used pseudonyms--both Brontes--so as not to be judged as a "woman.: Interestingly Marianne Evans was a writer for a magazine but no one recognized her as George Eliot till she revealed herself when some ignorant Bishop claimed authorship. It's hard for students to read an 800 page novel, but i taught middlemarch because I, like you, loved her voice. There are also some brilliant short story writers i never knew when i was an undergraduate but who i finally "found" and had them as part of a women in literature course. Toni Morrison talked about "the canon of literature" and said it was "the masters' canon"--white men. and Elizabeth Minnich in her Transforming Education talked about those who criticized inclusion of women as a lessening of excellence confusing "exclusion" from excellence. Thanks, Will, for your wise readings. And were you, by any chance, a lilterautre major
I like Toni Morrison's literary critiques better than her actual literature. I did go through a Morrison phase and read several of her novels. At the time, I liked how lush they are, but I became disillusioned and now consider her writing unnecessarily and extravagantly descriptive and complex.
I taught The Bluest Eye--direct, simple. And I felt the power of her Beloved on different levels...but complex. One of my favorite novels to teach was Zora Neale Hurston's Their Eyes Were Watching God...a wonderful story of women coming into voice...
I love Austen, which I have read and re-read. But can't stand Eliot. We had to read Silas Marner in 9th grade and it almost put me off 19th century literature for ever. Fortunately I reminded myself that I grew up on 19th century literature and loved it (Twain, Kipling, some of Alcott, etc.)
No author is for everyone, so it's good there are so many books! My mom, a great reader, said she has tried to read "Middlemarch" numerous times and can't get through it. Too dreary. Although I don't think I've ever heard anyone complain about Jane Austen. Her prose is so sparkling.
Will, thanks for the detailed tour of your recent reading. I'm glad you liked John McPhee's "Rising From The Plains." It reminded me that "red" states like Wyoming contain more than Trump voters--interesting history, natural beauty, non-maga conservatives like Liz Cheney, and even a few Democrats.
You have totally added to my TBR pile and given some good book club ideas
Agreed, Will, that reading is not only enjoyable and informative. It can also be therapeutic. I like your simile that reading is like “water for the parched mind.”
As to the fall of the USSR, when I was in the Soviet Union in 1990, a year before what I call the “Second Revolution,” I saw signs of the disintegration of the USSR. The Soviet Republics of Ukraine and Estonia were already clamoring for independence. The “hammer and sickle” flags had come down and their national flags were flying high. People, in our conversations, voiced their frustration with the Soviet system. A year before we arrived, Gorbachev had instituted “glasnost” (openness)
and ”perestroika” (restructuring). In the SR of Russia there were signs of economic frustration and emotional exhaustion caused by the Soviet long term involvement in Afghanistan and the withdrawal a few years before. The fall of the USSR took more than President Reagan simply saying in Berlin, “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!” (I believe Reagan saw the handwriting on the wall). More could be said, but that’s enough.
While on the subject of books, I want to recommend that I'm currently reading entitled spiritual journals by the Dutch Catholic priest and theologian Henri Nouwen. In this book he recounts the story of a 4 year old girl who mourned the death of a sparrow. At the funeral service that she insisted on having, she said this prayer: "Dear God, we have buried this little sparrow. now you be good to her or I will kill you" When her father asked why she had threatened God the girl replied: "I just want to be sure".
I thought that this little says a lot about our feelings when we are losing or lose a loved one.
I think that's funny. Was it meant to be?
I think so,but I also see a deeper meaning.