I thoroughly enjoyed SEATING ARRANGEMENTS, and part of that enjoyment came from eyes on a world about which I know nothing! WASP society! People wear pants with tiny whales on them! People swill and swill the booze. And there was skewering. Loved the beached whale! I guess I wanted to know more about Biddy and Agatha than I did about Winn. I was interested more in the women’s emotional lives. Winn felt so churlish and childish….still wanting to be a part of a world that rejected him for his grandfather’s identity. Not at all capable of self-reflection. Which is interesting but not thrilling. I love when novels reveal to me something I might be capable of! Change! 😘
It is from a story called « Vandals » which is chilling and such a smooth trick of time. She moves about, present to past with such ease. It’s in the collection OPEN SECRETS.
JC, It is so hard to say... I mean, if you want to look at her evolution as a writer, and perhaps also see what was essential and consuming to her at different times in her life, you could make a chronological approach. I will tell you my favorite collections are RUNAWAY, and HATESHIP, FRIENDSHIP, COURTSHIP, LOVESHIP, MARRIAGE. You could also pick up SELECTED STORIES as an overview. Anything you choose will be wonderful! Hats off to you!! xN
Stanley, the king!
Rest in peace, Alice Munro. Thanks for this great post. (I loved Seating Arrangements and curious to hear your thoughts when you finish! )
I thoroughly enjoyed SEATING ARRANGEMENTS, and part of that enjoyment came from eyes on a world about which I know nothing! WASP society! People wear pants with tiny whales on them! People swill and swill the booze. And there was skewering. Loved the beached whale! I guess I wanted to know more about Biddy and Agatha than I did about Winn. I was interested more in the women’s emotional lives. Winn felt so churlish and childish….still wanting to be a part of a world that rejected him for his grandfather’s identity. Not at all capable of self-reflection. Which is interesting but not thrilling. I love when novels reveal to me something I might be capable of! Change! 😘
Are the underlined sentences from the novel Runaway?
It is from a story called « Vandals » which is chilling and such a smooth trick of time. She moves about, present to past with such ease. It’s in the collection OPEN SECRETS.
Do you have suggestions or recommendations on the order to reread Alice Munro books?
JC, It is so hard to say... I mean, if you want to look at her evolution as a writer, and perhaps also see what was essential and consuming to her at different times in her life, you could make a chronological approach. I will tell you my favorite collections are RUNAWAY, and HATESHIP, FRIENDSHIP, COURTSHIP, LOVESHIP, MARRIAGE. You could also pick up SELECTED STORIES as an overview. Anything you choose will be wonderful! Hats off to you!! xN