Thanks for that link to Lit2Go! I use audiobooks and have my computer read text to me because my eyes are a little short on tears and grow tired easily. I read many of those books as a child and it was fun to sample. I also read (listened to) your speech (The Monk in the Marriott) and found it wonderful. Keep on reading the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings. I will soon begin my 12th journey and likely will find many new things along the way.
Dostoefsky is always a relevant read on politics and power. Sadly never more so than today. As for the others..thank you for the uplift and food for thought.
Brilliant John! Through the ages we have been warned, and yet it happened to America, twice. One wonders what the great writers of the future will write about this time; alas, we will be long gone.
Thank you for this and all of the times you remind us to pause and consider the significance, veracity, and backstories of the endless pieces of news, information, and opinions we constantly receive. I’m glad I had a busy morning and didn’t have a chance to read and appreciate this until this late afternoon as I relax watching the moon rise over the ocean.
John, you are a gem. Just when I’m beginning to give up hope for humanity, you write something that directs our view to higher heights!
The name Lebezyatnikov contains the Russian stem for the word "fawn," as in brown-nose, not deer. Fitting. I will re-read the Hobbit!
I love this. The kind of detail lost to me as I try to just hang on to understanding which person is being discussed.
Dostoeyevsky plays with names. Raskol means split or schism (Raskolnikov in Crime and Punishment).
May we know the artist who painted the work above your chair? Perhaps you’ve been asked and I missed the reply?
Thanks as always for sharing your thoughts, as well as a glimpse of your personal space.
The artist is our youngest child :)
Thanks for this piece. It was really thought-provoking.
Thanks for that link to Lit2Go! I use audiobooks and have my computer read text to me because my eyes are a little short on tears and grow tired easily. I read many of those books as a child and it was fun to sample. I also read (listened to) your speech (The Monk in the Marriott) and found it wonderful. Keep on reading the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings. I will soon begin my 12th journey and likely will find many new things along the way.
I found the Seven Storey Mountain very inspirational, as I too experienced a turning point in my life much like the one in Merton's story.
Later in other readings, I found Merton's affair while presumably being constrained by his religious vows somewhat off-putting.
Dostoefsky is always a relevant read on politics and power. Sadly never more so than today. As for the others..thank you for the uplift and food for thought.
Brilliant John! Through the ages we have been warned, and yet it happened to America, twice. One wonders what the great writers of the future will write about this time; alas, we will be long gone.
Thanks for the Thomas Merton, and the Lit2Go suggestion.
Thank you for this and all of the times you remind us to pause and consider the significance, veracity, and backstories of the endless pieces of news, information, and opinions we constantly receive. I’m glad I had a busy morning and didn’t have a chance to read and appreciate this until this late afternoon as I relax watching the moon rise over the ocean.
Drats….unable to edit comments after posting. Live and learn ☺️
Wow, John, I’m thrilled with this share! I found a writer who’s as enthralled with literature as much as I am ^_*.
Regarding the Merton footnote, I’m not surprised. He was beyond humble, which is so refreshing in this day & age.
Someone I deeply admire for his contemplative life, I’m no longer a hospital chaplain but have off quoted & gifted his words to many folks.
Sally | My Inner Lighthouse
Ah, Divine Providence. May we trust in it.
Purpose matters no matter who you are.
Enjoyed your reflections very much. Thank you for sharing Lit2Go.