Chris - wonderful story - thanks for sharing. It is fascinating to me such small chance encounters can alter the path of a life. If your name had not been drawn out of the “hat”, who knows what else might have changed in your life? I am not saying this from a “should have, would have, could have” point of view. However, as you said, had you not gone to London, you might still have had some lingering doubts about being a writer, and might have chosen a different path, even if only slightly different, which might have changed the trajectory of your life.
The moral to the story is - you might be a lucky person, and you should be entering more raffles... ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
No disrespect, Cristo, but the "winner" is not describing the fantasy future...
...the reality for the Irish from the 12th century invasion of Ireland by the Norman-English until the 1920s, when the British oppression released their holding on the Isles, they lived in the authoritarian grip of the British.
You say you're looking around for what to do with yourself. I think that novel's still waiting to be written. Follow Hemingway's advice - an hour a day in front of the keyboard. Eventually it will ooze out.
I was a registered nurse by education. And Ivhad to force myself to go to work everyday. I finally quit and once my children were in high school I got a low paying job at the city library. And the love affair continues until today!!! I got talk to people who read as much as I did. And what they were reading!! I got to see all the new books coming out and peoples’ reaction to them!!! I got up every morning I worked ready to go to a job I loved!!! I feel immensely grateful for city libraries!!!!
Well, this Canadian would say that OK, Canada is not that « foreign » to an American, but would also argue that Québec, the French-speaking province, might do the trick for you…
This is a lovely story and a remarkable reminder of the power of representation....You, a young man, got to see yourself in those writers and it gave you the courage to try (and succeed, magnificently!!) in this career. Imagine what this means to a young woman who sees other women in STEM classes, a gay, Latino, first gen man that sees others, like him, succeeding in college. The Supreme Court dealt a major blow to achieving the fullness of the American Dream when they rolled back Affirmative Action. Stories like yours encourage all of us to continue to do the right thing. i was a professional dancer for most of my life and i sure wish that this was going to be my great contribution to humanity... but my work as an educator is much more important. Sure, you might some day write the great American novel (hope you do!) but the work you do here IS saving American democracy and, holy cow, i can't think of more important work than that.
What a fabulous experience & memory! Thanks for sharing.
The Booker Prize often shines a light on narratives that speak to a uniquely British perspective, and yet add such depth to a rich literary appreciation of the human experience. The nominees as well as the winners always prove to be a gratifying read.
LOL! .... name pulled from a hat! Not intending to butter you up, I'm a new subscriber and absolutely love your writing. Until recently, I followed your political writing but what a special treat it is to read another dimension of your life. Your Booker story is delightful and sent me back to whenever and whatever it was that lit the fire to my love affair with literature. I wasn't interested in reading Prophet Song until just now. Thanks.
As it happens there is French Booker : the Prix Goncourt, equally celebrated... and the Prix Interallie ... as it happens I’m having cafe with the winner (a dear friend, Gaspard Koenig) & his editor tomorrow morning .... I may translate it into English !!
Wow, I began to internalize in myself your feeling of exhilaration for having attended the Booker presentation. I can imagine such an experience staying with anyone the rest of their life.
And, London, it's not just a great city to be young in. It's a great city to be old(ish) in, too! My wife and I have been to London twice and have found it exciting, fun, interesting both times. We'd love to visit again.
Thanks for sharing, Chris!
I really appreciate the personal/non-political posts (its why I subscribed!)
Chris - wonderful story - thanks for sharing. It is fascinating to me such small chance encounters can alter the path of a life. If your name had not been drawn out of the “hat”, who knows what else might have changed in your life? I am not saying this from a “should have, would have, could have” point of view. However, as you said, had you not gone to London, you might still have had some lingering doubts about being a writer, and might have chosen a different path, even if only slightly different, which might have changed the trajectory of your life.
The moral to the story is - you might be a lucky person, and you should be entering more raffles... ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Just learned something and I just ordered the book. Thank you.
Ditto - Thanks!!
No disrespect, Cristo, but the "winner" is not describing the fantasy future...
...the reality for the Irish from the 12th century invasion of Ireland by the Norman-English until the 1920s, when the British oppression released their holding on the Isles, they lived in the authoritarian grip of the British.
You say you're looking around for what to do with yourself. I think that novel's still waiting to be written. Follow Hemingway's advice - an hour a day in front of the keyboard. Eventually it will ooze out.
You should follow that dream and write the Great American Novel. I believe you can do it and I would surely buy a copy!
I was a registered nurse by education. And Ivhad to force myself to go to work everyday. I finally quit and once my children were in high school I got a low paying job at the city library. And the love affair continues until today!!! I got talk to people who read as much as I did. And what they were reading!! I got to see all the new books coming out and peoples’ reaction to them!!! I got up every morning I worked ready to go to a job I loved!!! I feel immensely grateful for city libraries!!!!
Well, this Canadian would say that OK, Canada is not that « foreign » to an American, but would also argue that Québec, the French-speaking province, might do the trick for you…
Great point, sir! And for me, a native Californian living in Sweden, there just might be still another Canadian province, equally exciting and exotic:
There is a town in north ONTARIO
With dream, comfort, memory to spare
And in my mind, I still need a place to go
All my changes were there....
All the best from Uddevalla/Sweden!
Laughed out loud at the Canada comment
Chris
This is a lovely story and a remarkable reminder of the power of representation....You, a young man, got to see yourself in those writers and it gave you the courage to try (and succeed, magnificently!!) in this career. Imagine what this means to a young woman who sees other women in STEM classes, a gay, Latino, first gen man that sees others, like him, succeeding in college. The Supreme Court dealt a major blow to achieving the fullness of the American Dream when they rolled back Affirmative Action. Stories like yours encourage all of us to continue to do the right thing. i was a professional dancer for most of my life and i sure wish that this was going to be my great contribution to humanity... but my work as an educator is much more important. Sure, you might some day write the great American novel (hope you do!) but the work you do here IS saving American democracy and, holy cow, i can't think of more important work than that.
thanks for sharing
A
What a fabulous experience & memory! Thanks for sharing.
The Booker Prize often shines a light on narratives that speak to a uniquely British perspective, and yet add such depth to a rich literary appreciation of the human experience. The nominees as well as the winners always prove to be a gratifying read.
Thank you for the heads up! I actively cultivate Booker prize books!
Heard this on NPR this morning and defintely want to read the book.
LOL! .... name pulled from a hat! Not intending to butter you up, I'm a new subscriber and absolutely love your writing. Until recently, I followed your political writing but what a special treat it is to read another dimension of your life. Your Booker story is delightful and sent me back to whenever and whatever it was that lit the fire to my love affair with literature. I wasn't interested in reading Prophet Song until just now. Thanks.
As it happens there is French Booker : the Prix Goncourt, equally celebrated... and the Prix Interallie ... as it happens I’m having cafe with the winner (a dear friend, Gaspard Koenig) & his editor tomorrow morning .... I may translate it into English !!
cheers, tho, for The Booker !!
Wow, I began to internalize in myself your feeling of exhilaration for having attended the Booker presentation. I can imagine such an experience staying with anyone the rest of their life.
And, London, it's not just a great city to be young in. It's a great city to be old(ish) in, too! My wife and I have been to London twice and have found it exciting, fun, interesting both times. We'd love to visit again.