Edith Wharton and Undercover: The Hearts that can Break
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
I put the finishing touches on the Penn syllabus yesterday, then took my readings to that leafy campus to have them readied for Blackboard. I am teaching, as I have noted here, about vulnerability—about the ways in which we open ourselves and our words to the world. I am teaching heart and I am teaching craft, and Edith Wharton's words, here, inspire: As to experience, intellectual and moral, the creative imagination can make a little go a long way, provided it remains long enough in the mind and is sufficiently brooded upon. One good heart-break will furnish the poet with many songs, and the novelist with a considerable number of novels. But they must have hearts that can break.
I came home to a gorgeous review of Undercover by the phenomenal reviewer/reader known to so many as Booking Mama. She made me think, with her words, about the journey that I have taken since I began to write young adult novels a few years ago—about where I have gone with my characters, and what I, in writing The Heart is Not a Size (due out next March), decided to return to. Thank you, Booking Mama, for that.
8 comments:
That was a lovely review by Julie (Booking Mama).
I am in love with your banner photo.
I love Booking Mama's reviews - they are so heartfelt. She has made me anxious to read Undercover.
Thank you so much for the shout-out! I am so looking forward to reading more of your books. They are such a decadent treat!!!
Boy, what fun that would be to take your course. Jealous of those students who can attend.
But they must have hearts that can break
wow!!!
And I am in love with the picture on the top of this post. I will (hopefully, if bureaucratic stuff all goes well) be taking a writing class at Penn too, taught by Melissa Jensen. Your students will be lucky to have you as a professor. :)
I love this post. And I love Edith Wharton--what an amazing inspiration. And, yes, that amazing photo in your header. Stunning.
Love this quote for E Wharton. Thank you for sharing more insights on vulnerability in the writing life.
Terrific photo, too. As usual!
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