The books and daydreams that save us during loss and times of suffering, yes, and beyond. Daydreaming as a daily practice is, I think, life-giving. I felt the loss of a child, having experienced the same and while not prominent, always part of me.
Recollection of something sorrowful in tranquillity, this chapter underlines the sad events we often experience and pass through. They help us grow and carry with them significant images. Sometimes bitter sweet.
There's something about reading to comfort oneself, especially when sick or heartbroken or otherwise going through hard times. The escape it offers, stepping through the Wardrobe or the garden gate or the bluebell wood in Rutshire, is much more intense than watching TV or a movie. Reading has, I think, given me more pleasure than anything else in my life, from the moment I began to read. Which of course, eventually, made me a writer.
Yes, you put it well, Anna. The escape in reading is somehow deeper and more intense than anything. It has its own self contained peaceful sense of fulfilment.
That Annie Ernaux line .. yes. I relate. And having the parallel life of a writer. I remember reading that the poet UA Fanthorpe taught for many years and finally realised that she wanted to walk out the gates to a future just as year after year she waved off her students.
The books and daydreams that save us during loss and times of suffering, yes, and beyond. Daydreaming as a daily practice is, I think, life-giving. I felt the loss of a child, having experienced the same and while not prominent, always part of me.
Thank you, Dawn . Lovely the way books can continue to comfort and heal us
Lovely, intriguing change of direction and perspective.
Thank you, Helen. I'm seeing where it takes me ...
Recollection of something sorrowful in tranquillity, this chapter underlines the sad events we often experience and pass through. They help us grow and carry with them significant images. Sometimes bitter sweet.
Wow Emma, that flip into the first person at the end is so powerful.
Oh, good! Thank you, Ruby.
There's something about reading to comfort oneself, especially when sick or heartbroken or otherwise going through hard times. The escape it offers, stepping through the Wardrobe or the garden gate or the bluebell wood in Rutshire, is much more intense than watching TV or a movie. Reading has, I think, given me more pleasure than anything else in my life, from the moment I began to read. Which of course, eventually, made me a writer.
Yes, you put it well, Anna. The escape in reading is somehow deeper and more intense than anything. It has its own self contained peaceful sense of fulfilment.
That Annie Ernaux line .. yes. I relate. And having the parallel life of a writer. I remember reading that the poet UA Fanthorpe taught for many years and finally realised that she wanted to walk out the gates to a future just as year after year she waved off her students.
Thank you for this lovely, thoughtful comment, Angelique.
Thank you, Melissa. Love the nugget about UA Fanthorpe.