Comments for NARRATIVE

Comment on Essay’s ancient spell, memoir’s transformation by shirleyhs

shirleyhs — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 15:08:48 +0000

Amen to all of the above. I’m a bit puzzled by the last line of the Woolf quote — “pure from dullness,” etc. The “pure from” construction is not one I’m used to. I’m sure Woolf would like startling me with it.

A hasty reader could think those words mean “pure as a result of” rather than “pure because of exclusion.”

Comment on Essay’s ancient spell, memoir’s transformation by Beth Kephart

Beth Kephart — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 13:09:00 +0000

You are hitting all the right nails on the heads today!

Comment on Essay’s ancient spell, memoir’s transformation by deanna

deanna — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 22:03:25 +0000

Thank you for these good distinctions. Depth of ponderment here.

Comment on Essay’s ancient spell, memoir’s transformation by J.V. Wylie, M.D.

J.V. Wylie, M.D. — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 21:21:17 +0000

Wonderfully inspiring passages, Richard; gems.

Comment on ‘Our Secret’ by Susan Griffin by paulettealden

paulettealden — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 15:10:11 +0000

Hi, Richard,
This is an inspired (and inspiring) post. I felt the same way about the Griffin piece. It’s amazing in and of itself, and as a model for ways of approaching material. I love the ruminative, associative, non-linear style of it. And especially that idea of looking at a subject or material as a “field.” Thanks for such a fine post about it. Paulette

Comment on ‘Our Secret’ by Susan Griffin by Richard Gilbert

Richard Gilbert — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 18:57:04 +0000

Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting, Tom. I do try to write about things I’ve loved and usually stay quiet about what didn’t move me. I am not going to AWP this year!

Comment on ‘Our Secret’ by Susan Griffin by Richard Gilbert

Richard Gilbert — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 18:55:56 +0000

Thanks, Shirley! I recommend pasting that link into your browser and downloading while the pdf is still there. Then buy her book, of course . . .

Comment on ‘Our Secret’ by Susan Griffin by Thomas Larson

Thomas Larson — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 16:27:53 +0000

Richard, your reading of Griffin is so enthusiastic I now want to read it for myself. Lillian Ross of the The New Yorker once said she only writes about subjects she loves. I think of you in that regard as well.

Going to AWP? Fancy a coffee?

Tom

Comment on ‘Our Secret’ by Susan Griffin by shirleyhs

shirleyhs — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 12:09:49 +0000

Your description of this essay is so vivid and powerful that I wish I could spend my day reading and reflecting about it.

The idea of braiding one’s own story of misery in childhood with the story of cruelty in the outside world, and especially the brutality of Himmler, is brilliant. Even without answering the question of how and why all of these events are connected, the writer can set up a powerful, evocative idea/question in the reader’s mind.

Thanks for another great post. I do want to read this essay.

Comment on What’s an essay, what’s journalism? by Richard Gilbert

Richard Gilbert — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 18:03:03 +0000

What a wonderful interview with Dyer and his book list is great, Cheri. Thanks for the link. I think my favorite book title of all time is Dyer’s Yoga for People Who Can’t be Bothered to do It.