Jean Harkin's Blog - Posts Tagged "ann-patchett"
Community of Hostages
We have all been swept away from our normal lives, haven’t we? Like a boatload of victims, held hostage by a small, determined virus.
So, while reading the novel “Bel Canto” by Ann Patchett, I instantly felt a kinship with the birthday party celebrants overwhelmed by an incoming cadre of terrorists who intended to hold the group for ransom. First, there was the initial panic and confusion, followed by an ongoing undercurrent of fear, as the days and weeks drew into months.
Although the site of the kidnapping was luxurious and comfortable (a mansion owned by the vice president of a South American country), the lack of personal freedom and not knowing when the siege would end, challenged and disheartened the victims. I think most of us can relate, as we “stay home” in nice surroundings but need to follow Authority’s rules for socializing and moving about the community.
The situation in “Bel Canto” held some ironic humor. The target of the terrorists—the president of the country—had not even attended the party! He stayed home in his bedroom to watch an episode of his favorite TV drama serial. Sound familiar? We also have a president who watches a lot of television and is absent from reality—no help whatsoever in a crisis.
The “Bel Canto” hostages made the best of their miserable situation, providing aid and comfort to each other, and forging relationships (as we also are called to do). One man, fluent in many languages, who was employed by the birthday honoree, became a translator for other victims and guards alike. The most popular opera soprano in the world, who became a secondary bargaining chip in the absence of the nation’s president, entertained the troops and troupers with her bel cantos. Thus, all of the victims attained a certain level of joy and peace during the worst of times. And aren’t we all trying to do so during these strange, dark days?
Another time I might read and review Albert Camus’s 1947 classic, “The Plague” which also presents striking parallels to the current pandemic.
Meanwhile, I recommend Kim Stafford’s more encouraging seven “Poems for the Pandemic.” Kim is a past Oregon poet laureate and son of the late William Stafford, also a former Oregon poet laureate. Find Kim’s poems on Instagram at @kimstaffordpoetry. Hear him read his pandemic poems at https://projects.oregonlive.com/kim-s...
My favorite is “Shelter in Place.”
Be inspired! Stay well!
So, while reading the novel “Bel Canto” by Ann Patchett, I instantly felt a kinship with the birthday party celebrants overwhelmed by an incoming cadre of terrorists who intended to hold the group for ransom. First, there was the initial panic and confusion, followed by an ongoing undercurrent of fear, as the days and weeks drew into months.
Although the site of the kidnapping was luxurious and comfortable (a mansion owned by the vice president of a South American country), the lack of personal freedom and not knowing when the siege would end, challenged and disheartened the victims. I think most of us can relate, as we “stay home” in nice surroundings but need to follow Authority’s rules for socializing and moving about the community.
The situation in “Bel Canto” held some ironic humor. The target of the terrorists—the president of the country—had not even attended the party! He stayed home in his bedroom to watch an episode of his favorite TV drama serial. Sound familiar? We also have a president who watches a lot of television and is absent from reality—no help whatsoever in a crisis.
The “Bel Canto” hostages made the best of their miserable situation, providing aid and comfort to each other, and forging relationships (as we also are called to do). One man, fluent in many languages, who was employed by the birthday honoree, became a translator for other victims and guards alike. The most popular opera soprano in the world, who became a secondary bargaining chip in the absence of the nation’s president, entertained the troops and troupers with her bel cantos. Thus, all of the victims attained a certain level of joy and peace during the worst of times. And aren’t we all trying to do so during these strange, dark days?
Another time I might read and review Albert Camus’s 1947 classic, “The Plague” which also presents striking parallels to the current pandemic.
Meanwhile, I recommend Kim Stafford’s more encouraging seven “Poems for the Pandemic.” Kim is a past Oregon poet laureate and son of the late William Stafford, also a former Oregon poet laureate. Find Kim’s poems on Instagram at @kimstaffordpoetry. Hear him read his pandemic poems at https://projects.oregonlive.com/kim-s...
My favorite is “Shelter in Place.”
Be inspired! Stay well!
Frankly, My Dears
I’ve been re-reading “Common Errors in English Usage” by Paul Brians, and frankly my dears, it’s downright entertaining! I’m not perfectly sure I’ve used “frankly” in the proper context. Brians says that sentences or phrases should only begin with this word to express a shocking or unflattering statement, as in “Gone With the Wind” when Rhett Butler tells Scarlett that he “frankly” doesn’t give a damn.
Says Professor (of English) Brians, “frankly” should not be used in a self-serving way, such as “frankly, I think such and such is. . .”
A few other cautions from the author, in his inimitable style, are as follows:
1) “When you hear a public figure say ‘to be completely honest with you,’ expect a lie.”
2) There is a difference between “envious” and “jealous.” You are envious of what others possess but jealous of what you have and want to keep, such as “your boyfriend’s attraction to other women.”
3) Don’t describe anything physical as “one-dimensional.” This is an impossibility. Says Brians, “If you are bothered that two-dimensions are too many, just use ‘flat.’”
4) The word “till” has been spelled this way for over 800 years and is older than “until.” Both are better English than “til” with or without an apostrophe.
Brians has me chuckling often with his examples of improper language use. Cleverly-captioned illustrations scattered throughout the book add to the professor’s gently humorous correctness. I recommend his book, along with three others of my 5-star September books I reviewed on Goodreads:
“A Gentleman in Moscow” by Amor Towles; “State of Wonder” by Ann Patchett, and “Walk the Blue Fields,” a collection of Irish stories by Claire Keegan.
Happy Fall, my dears, and happy falling into good books!
Says Professor (of English) Brians, “frankly” should not be used in a self-serving way, such as “frankly, I think such and such is. . .”
A few other cautions from the author, in his inimitable style, are as follows:
1) “When you hear a public figure say ‘to be completely honest with you,’ expect a lie.”
2) There is a difference between “envious” and “jealous.” You are envious of what others possess but jealous of what you have and want to keep, such as “your boyfriend’s attraction to other women.”
3) Don’t describe anything physical as “one-dimensional.” This is an impossibility. Says Brians, “If you are bothered that two-dimensions are too many, just use ‘flat.’”
4) The word “till” has been spelled this way for over 800 years and is older than “until.” Both are better English than “til” with or without an apostrophe.
Brians has me chuckling often with his examples of improper language use. Cleverly-captioned illustrations scattered throughout the book add to the professor’s gently humorous correctness. I recommend his book, along with three others of my 5-star September books I reviewed on Goodreads:
“A Gentleman in Moscow” by Amor Towles; “State of Wonder” by Ann Patchett, and “Walk the Blue Fields,” a collection of Irish stories by Claire Keegan.
Happy Fall, my dears, and happy falling into good books!
