Alice Munro My favourite short story writer, hands down, is Alice Munro. I love her jewelly miniaturist's art, her contorted sentences, the elegaic tone which pervades her work, her sharp eye, her sense of hard-won wisdom, the sadness … [Continue reading]
Keith Wheeler–Carying his Cross through the Nations of the World
Keith Wheeler--Carrying his Cross through the Nations of the World At an Oxford dinner party recently, I heard this odd story from a French woman and her British husband. They were travelling and Greenland, and came across a man carrying an … [Continue reading]
The Uses of Travel for A Writer
The Uses of TravelAs I grow older, I come to terms with the temperament that, for good or ill, is mine. I thrive on variety. If had a whole week, 5 days of staying in and writing all day while the children were at school, I would feel restless. Two … [Continue reading]
The Eastern Europe of Sholom Aleichem, Isaac Bashevis Singer, Kafka and Elie Wiesel
The Eastern Europe of Sholom Aleichem, Isaac Bashevis Singer, Kafka and Elie WieselWe spent this morning in Prague’s old Ghetto and Jewish quarter. Jewish people have lived in Prague for a millennium—subjected to a variety of petty … [Continue reading]
Worship, Zionism, Forgiveness: Thoughts in Prague's Jewish Ghetto
Worship, Zionism, Forgiveness: Thoughts in Prague's Jewish Ghetto We spent this morning in Prague’s old Ghetto and Jewish quarter. Jewish people have lived in Prague for a millennium—subjected to a variety of petty restrictions: for … [Continue reading]
Irene and Prague
Irene and Prague Irene loves Prague. We ate out last night facing the astronomical clock after having walked down the Charles Bridge. We had had a decadent day of good meals, lots of shopping, lots of art. "That was a good day," she sighed with … [Continue reading]
A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry
A Fine Balance by Rohinton MistryWell, I have finished this gargantuan novel, and I must admit that I wish I had not embarked on it. It made me sad.A Fine Balance is the story of four unlikely intertwined lives in Bombay. There's Dina, a Parsee lady … [Continue reading]
Annie Dillard–An American Childhood
Annie Dillard--An American ChildhoodA magical moment in a writer's life is when you read a book--and realize the similarities between the writers' subject matter, and your own raw material. You think, Hmm, I could do this. Then you look at the … [Continue reading]
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