Yesterday, I had to go over Laddie's and wait for the locksmith to arrive, wait for him to re-key all of the locks, and pay him. He was a nice, shy, and efficient young man. During my enforced wait, I need something to read, so I grabbed Letters of Flannery O'Connor: The Habit of Being. I've hesitated to begin this because there are so many books in the various stacks, and this one is over 500 pages, but for some reason, I grabbed that particular book before starting out.
I've fallen in love with Flannery O'Connor! Will have to reread her works with a fresh, new outlook when I've finished. Sometimes I read the introductions before reading a work, sometimes, after. Usually, I glance at the first two paragraphs and make a decision, and this introduction seemed necessary as a review of O'Connor's life before getting into the letters themselves. Fitzgerald's introduction is a pleasure; a useful and necessary preface to the letters.
And the letters! Oh, I have so many little portions marked already...so funny, so dry, so Southern! O'Connor has absolutely charmed me with her wit, her view of life, and her relationship with her mother.
This will be my April biography, as I plan to enjoy this a little at a time and will not likely finish it this month. It is the perfect thing to read as counterpoint to all of the fantasy that I'll soon be delving into. Like short stories and essays, you can read a little, put it down and come back later without losing a narrative thread.
And, I can't believe I've never read any Flannery O'Connor! Is there one book you'd recommend to start with?
ReplyDeleteiliana - My very favorite piece by O'Connor is "Good Country People," a short story. And Wise Blood, her first novel. Keep in mind that all of her work is part of the Southern Gothic/grotesque! Strange stuff, but fascinating.
ReplyDeleteJenclair,
ReplyDeleteI just nominated you for a Thinking Blogger Award. You can see my entry, here:
http://tinyurl.com/yuyb4l
:)
Like Iliana, I have never read O'Connor. I'm not even sure I've ever seen her books available in the UK, although I'm sure they must be. I must drop by the library and see if 'Wise Blood' is in stock.
ReplyDeleteBookfool- Thanks! I feel honored!
ReplyDeleteAnn - Caution: O'Connor's work is unlike that of any other author that I know.
Oh, those letters sound fun. I've read a lot of O'Connor's work, but not the letters; perhaps I shall have to pick them up one day.
ReplyDeleteDorothy - Re-reading everything I've read by O'Connor is now a priority! She even mentioned Johnson once...I'll have to go back and find that reference.
ReplyDeleteThank you! I have coupons to use this coming week at Half Price books so I will be looking for these. I'm so curious now!
ReplyDeleteiliana - You've been getting some great bargains lately! Can't wait to see what you come home with. I'm still enjoying the letters.
ReplyDelete