“I connected with Dickens’ pulsating buoyancy, his forward momentum, and the life-affirming panache in his style, which lifted me and carried me in its wake.” Wonderfully realized, Jeffrey.
Jeffrey, thanks so much for sharing this lovely essay with us all. Kathryn, thanks so much for hosting Jeffrey's essay. Grief is so powerful. I tend to turn to spiritual reading when I am going through stressful times, and in particular, grief, however I can thoroughly understand the power of turning to fiction.
Thank you, Pamela, for your kind words. Grief is indeed so powerful, and seems to be good at stalking us, ready to pounce when we think it's left us alone.
The love of books is *such* a gift, and never more so than when they help us through hard times. Thank you for sharing your story, Jeffrey. And just out of curiosity, what was your favorite Dickens?
Thank you, jodie, and you're so right about the love of books.
A hard question, about my favourite Dickens. I really enjoyed all of them (but one). I will confess to a soft spot for Little Dorrit, however. How about you?
This is wonderful Jeffrey! I can well imagine that Dickens would keep you going - centred, perhaps? - during a time of extreme anxiety. There is something solid and encouraging about his writing. So glad your mother pulled through! PS Reminder to self: re-read David Copperfield (my favorite Dickens, I think)…
Thanks for sharing, Jeffrey. I'm pacing my Dickens out: I've read one each of the last four Christmases. I picked up a copy of 'The Pickwick Papers' for £1 in the second-hand bookshop in Tiverton last Saturday, so that's this year sorted too.
There is something magical and personal about which book(s) we turn to in fear or grief, isn’t there? I’m glad your mother recovered from surgery and her fall, and that you didn’t get stuck isolating from COVID somewhere unimportant to you.
I read all of Shakespeare's works last year and am reading Steinbeck's works this year. It is a fascinating experience to read through an author and have them keep you company for a time. I have read a few of Dicken's works but not all of them. Love the way the literature is intertwined with life.
I read Dickens chronologically, and when I did my year of Shakespeare, I tried to stick roughly from early to late, but of course the chronology of his works is a lot more murky.
Deepest thanks to you both for this collaboration—loving and lovely.
I tend to space works from a single author apart these days, with an intention to savor the singular. But… this post reminded me of the bingeing of my youth… whole phases of Hunter S, Anäis Nin, DH Lawrence (you can likely gather a little color commentary here on my teenage years).
Looking forward to choosing an oeuvre to explore; what a wonderful revisiting you’ve encouraged!
Thank you, Bree! you've also suggested other binges there (Lawrence, for example). There's something special about getting into one author's head for an extended period of time. A couple years ago, I found myself reading a lot of Rachel Cusk. And many years ago, Anthony Powell and Anthony Trollope. I think I must have had more time to read those days!
Yes! Getting into their brains and, if you’re anything like me, assuming some of their creative mannerisms too. There’s indeed a mind-melding that starts to happen… a deeper understanding of the language (and thus character) of a writer. The same with any artist’s work, really; that intimacy borne of immersion.
And thank you for Powell and Trollope! Series works ripe for complete surrender. Now, from where do I carve the time??
My mother died a couple of weeks ago, so reading this was really poignant. And I love the idea of, almost randomly, choosing an author to accompany us through challenging times! I’m not reading a huge amount at the moment, but certain musicians/songs have suddenly become extraordinarily important to me. I’m not a big fan of books by Julian Barnes, but I did really appreciate reading sections of the memoir (Levels of Life) he wrote after his wife’s death - and especially the section where, not having any interest in opera before, he suddenly becomes slightly obsessed with it. The whole form/tone/emotion of it suddenly has a completely different meaning to him. That’s so interesting, and says so much about the powerful inner forces that sustain and inspire us - that drive us on.
I am so sorry for your recent loss. My father passed a little over a year ago and I know there are no right words during this time ... but I hope you continue to find right-enough words and solace in writing and music. <3 <3
This resonated. I sent my daughter a Penguin Clothbound Classics edition of The Master and Margarita for her 20th birthday a couple of weeks ago. Inside I wrote this inscription:
"This is one of my favourite books. I was reading it on the sofa in the middle of the night when the hospital called to say Wee Gran had died (my mum). It was already a special book to me before that, but afterwards ... well ...
Magical realism, defamiliarisation, Stalinist vibes. An absolute classic. Read it once, read it twice, share it with your friends.
I hope you enjoy it.
Dad xx"
She was very pleased at receiving it. She had accompanied me many times to visit my mum in hospital during those dark times in 2016. That book will always remind me of those times as a special time of strong family connections. Watching the strength of my daughter then, aged only 12, was incredibly moving.
Thank you for sharing this tender gesture and series of moments, Cams, I can only imagine (as a daughter myself) what this meant for both you and your girl. Grateful too for the introduction to an unknown work, which I’ll read with your story in mind.
This is so well-observed. My brother recently died quite unexpectedly and, after a stint of being unable to read at all, I find myself voracious for grief books: "You Could Make This Place Beautiful," "H is for Hawk," "A Grief Observed," and now "The Year of Magical Thinking." It's nice to realize I'm not the only one who's dived into reading as a way to work through grief.
I so look forward to and am nourished by your posts. Thank you for spreading your light!
I love this so much! Thank you Kathryn and Jeffrey! “At last, the winter of despair had finished, and the spring of hope had arrived. “
Thank you, Karen!
The winter of despair lasted a long time. I'm so glad that's it's spring! And I appreciate your wonderful evocations of spring in your photo essays.
Fabulous essay. Dickens can be very dark, but he is also compassionate and life-affirming.
Thank you, Douglas! I agree with you about Dickens. There's lots of joy, lots of sorrow. Maybe that's one reason his work lives on.
“I connected with Dickens’ pulsating buoyancy, his forward momentum, and the life-affirming panache in his style, which lifted me and carried me in its wake.” Wonderfully realized, Jeffrey.
Thank you, Rona! I appreciate your reading this essay and your kind words.
Restacked that exact quote myself, Rona - so beautiful, Jeffrey.
Jeffrey, thanks so much for sharing this lovely essay with us all. Kathryn, thanks so much for hosting Jeffrey's essay. Grief is so powerful. I tend to turn to spiritual reading when I am going through stressful times, and in particular, grief, however I can thoroughly understand the power of turning to fiction.
Thank you, Pamela, for your kind words. Grief is indeed so powerful, and seems to be good at stalking us, ready to pounce when we think it's left us alone.
So true Jeffrey, so true. It is terribly good at stalking us.
This essay was so poignant and touching, and I loved reading this chapter of Jeffrey’s story. Thank you for providing the space for it, Kathryn!
The love of books is *such* a gift, and never more so than when they help us through hard times. Thank you for sharing your story, Jeffrey. And just out of curiosity, what was your favorite Dickens?
Thank you, jodie, and you're so right about the love of books.
A hard question, about my favourite Dickens. I really enjoyed all of them (but one). I will confess to a soft spot for Little Dorrit, however. How about you?
This is wonderful Jeffrey! I can well imagine that Dickens would keep you going - centred, perhaps? - during a time of extreme anxiety. There is something solid and encouraging about his writing. So glad your mother pulled through! PS Reminder to self: re-read David Copperfield (my favorite Dickens, I think)…
Thank you, Emma! Yes, "centred" is a good word. And David Copperfield is certainly a superb book.
Thanks for sharing, Jeffrey. I'm pacing my Dickens out: I've read one each of the last four Christmases. I picked up a copy of 'The Pickwick Papers' for £1 in the second-hand bookshop in Tiverton last Saturday, so that's this year sorted too.
In Tiverton, eh? Having gone to school there, I haven't been back for decades. I hope the old place is faring well.
The Pickwick Papers is huge fun. Definitely one of my favourites.
There is something magical and personal about which book(s) we turn to in fear or grief, isn’t there? I’m glad your mother recovered from surgery and her fall, and that you didn’t get stuck isolating from COVID somewhere unimportant to you.
Thank you, Tara. So I have to ask, which book(s) do you turn to at such times?
I read all of Shakespeare's works last year and am reading Steinbeck's works this year. It is a fascinating experience to read through an author and have them keep you company for a time. I have read a few of Dicken's works but not all of them. Love the way the literature is intertwined with life.
Curious if you read them in any particular order?
I read Dickens chronologically, and when I did my year of Shakespeare, I tried to stick roughly from early to late, but of course the chronology of his works is a lot more murky.
Bravo on finishing all of Dicken's novels, weathering the worst, and of course, bravo to NHS and to your mom. ❤️Beautifully told, Jeffrey.
Thank you, Lani!
Deepest thanks to you both for this collaboration—loving and lovely.
I tend to space works from a single author apart these days, with an intention to savor the singular. But… this post reminded me of the bingeing of my youth… whole phases of Hunter S, Anäis Nin, DH Lawrence (you can likely gather a little color commentary here on my teenage years).
Looking forward to choosing an oeuvre to explore; what a wonderful revisiting you’ve encouraged!
Thank you, Bree! you've also suggested other binges there (Lawrence, for example). There's something special about getting into one author's head for an extended period of time. A couple years ago, I found myself reading a lot of Rachel Cusk. And many years ago, Anthony Powell and Anthony Trollope. I think I must have had more time to read those days!
Yes! Getting into their brains and, if you’re anything like me, assuming some of their creative mannerisms too. There’s indeed a mind-melding that starts to happen… a deeper understanding of the language (and thus character) of a writer. The same with any artist’s work, really; that intimacy borne of immersion.
And thank you for Powell and Trollope! Series works ripe for complete surrender. Now, from where do I carve the time??
🙂I'd love to think I'd assumed creative mannerisms from Dickens, but alas...
I like "mind-melding"
🥲😄
My mother died a couple of weeks ago, so reading this was really poignant. And I love the idea of, almost randomly, choosing an author to accompany us through challenging times! I’m not reading a huge amount at the moment, but certain musicians/songs have suddenly become extraordinarily important to me. I’m not a big fan of books by Julian Barnes, but I did really appreciate reading sections of the memoir (Levels of Life) he wrote after his wife’s death - and especially the section where, not having any interest in opera before, he suddenly becomes slightly obsessed with it. The whole form/tone/emotion of it suddenly has a completely different meaning to him. That’s so interesting, and says so much about the powerful inner forces that sustain and inspire us - that drive us on.
I am so sorry for your recent loss. My father passed a little over a year ago and I know there are no right words during this time ... but I hope you continue to find right-enough words and solace in writing and music. <3 <3
Thanks, Kathryn. And so sorry to hear about your dad. Music can be so evocative/healing at times like this. 🕊️🧡
The day after he passed, my siblings and I drove around for hours listening to certain songs. <3
I'm so sorry to hear about your mother, James. My deepest condolences to you and your family.
Thanks, Jeffrey. ✨️🙏✨️
This resonated. I sent my daughter a Penguin Clothbound Classics edition of The Master and Margarita for her 20th birthday a couple of weeks ago. Inside I wrote this inscription:
"This is one of my favourite books. I was reading it on the sofa in the middle of the night when the hospital called to say Wee Gran had died (my mum). It was already a special book to me before that, but afterwards ... well ...
Magical realism, defamiliarisation, Stalinist vibes. An absolute classic. Read it once, read it twice, share it with your friends.
I hope you enjoy it.
Dad xx"
She was very pleased at receiving it. She had accompanied me many times to visit my mum in hospital during those dark times in 2016. That book will always remind me of those times as a special time of strong family connections. Watching the strength of my daughter then, aged only 12, was incredibly moving.
Thank you for sharing this story, Cams. What a wonderful gift for your daughter! I'm sure she'll treasure it. And it's a fabulous book, isn't it?
Thank you for sharing this tender gesture and series of moments, Cams, I can only imagine (as a daughter myself) what this meant for both you and your girl. Grateful too for the introduction to an unknown work, which I’ll read with your story in mind.
Bless you, Bree. I hope you enjoy the book.
I surely will, and with blessings in return.
This is so well-observed. My brother recently died quite unexpectedly and, after a stint of being unable to read at all, I find myself voracious for grief books: "You Could Make This Place Beautiful," "H is for Hawk," "A Grief Observed," and now "The Year of Magical Thinking." It's nice to realize I'm not the only one who's dived into reading as a way to work through grief.
I also read the year of magical thinking shortly after my dad passed along with a few others 💕💕
I'm sorry for your loss, Katharine.