Aaron was sweet enough to buy me "The Complete Works of Willa Cather" for my birthday in July. I have since been steadily working through the collection and it has been deeply satisfying. I've become so attached that my day doesn't feel complete without a chapter or two from one of her stories or novels. I've been impressed by how pivotal memory is in her characters' lives. Memory determines their purpose, provides their bearing, reveals their identity, and sometimes destroys them. It's made me think about what events in life I choose to remember and focus on. It also made me think about how good writing all seems to depend on memory and one's ability to recall the details of existence. It seems that reflection allows us to tease out the profound from the pedestrian events of our lives.
2 comments:
Oma really likes Willa Cather and says that the stories remind her of our Scandinavian ancestors. I am also reminded of what Elder Eyring said this past conference about writing down impressions and feelings you have--did you hear that talk?
My favorite Willa Cather books (so far) are My Antonia and Death Comes for the Archbishop. She writes beautifully.
Post a Comment