The “why” of writing and the “why” of reading are things we can examine on behalf of ourselves but maybe not so much on behalf of others, unless it is made clear in a consistent and believable way. Case in point, Bunny Wilson’s, Betrayal’s Baby, a book by a daughter about her mother. It’s very painful to read, but with a clear purpose throughout: Understanding, compassion, then forgiveness. Unless a book is mapped out in such a way, the “why” may remain a mystery for both author and reader, sending many down rabbit holes into burrows that go on forever.
I wonder a lot about whether we need to explain, or, to use your language, map out, the why for readers. It's helpful when it happens but I don't always want to do it because sometimes I want to just let the work stand for itself =)
I feel sensitive about L'Engle, being also a writer, and valuing her books and theology. And I'd read that article a few years ago and felt unmoored by it, too. But I think your approach is wise. So much of what she was accused of is sheer humanity. I wish there were a term for this type of accusation, which I see often. I confess I noticed it first when I was "diagnosed" with a mental breakdown (by very loving people in my life) in part because "it's typical of mentally ill people to have bizarre ideas about hell."
Hello? Have you ever met anyone who does NOT have bizarre ideas about hell? It's like saying "Most serial killers like chocolate" to diagnose passing serial killers. Do you know? Is there a term for this type of behavior? (Maybe we could coin one, let's try a shocker-term, a portmanteau of bizarre and hell).
Likewise, I see in myself a penchant for spotting inconsistencies in other people, the people I don't want to like. I'm always telling myself, "Look, inconsistency is low-hanging fruit." Everyone is inconsistent. No, we don't want to make excuses for wrong behavior...but it's okay to be generous with others who are also still growing. Thanks for your commentary on this subject; it applies to more than just writers.
I had never read Madeline L'Engle until you recommended her. I've read a few of her books and I've enjoyed them. She is a skilled author. I really appreciated your take on "truth" and canceling and reading good books.
Thank you! I recognize that maybe she isn't as skilled or the best there ever was, but she was formative for me at a particular juncture and has remained formative for me through the years.
Thank you for writing this. I listened to The Tell, and was sad to start seeing more come out about it shortly thereafter. I questioned the drug and "recovery" aspect, but it also seemed too personally fit to her life, with the conversations with her children and such, to expect something like this. I've been sucked in to all of the commentary on West's book, even though I never planned to read it. It's so sad. I appreciate how you've spoken about truth, slant, plagiarism, and writing from pain over the years. I am writing a lot from pain at the moment, privately, and although I'm nowhere near a place where it would be shared, I already worry about how to handle that in the future (maybe distance is the answer?) because of that URGE to share.
I believe this is something we all must walk in the shadow of, isn't it? And I also believe that God is always closer than we know and may, in fact, be the one responsible for the very light that "enlightens" us.
The “why” of writing and the “why” of reading are things we can examine on behalf of ourselves but maybe not so much on behalf of others, unless it is made clear in a consistent and believable way. Case in point, Bunny Wilson’s, Betrayal’s Baby, a book by a daughter about her mother. It’s very painful to read, but with a clear purpose throughout: Understanding, compassion, then forgiveness. Unless a book is mapped out in such a way, the “why” may remain a mystery for both author and reader, sending many down rabbit holes into burrows that go on forever.
I wonder a lot about whether we need to explain, or, to use your language, map out, the why for readers. It's helpful when it happens but I don't always want to do it because sometimes I want to just let the work stand for itself =)
I feel sensitive about L'Engle, being also a writer, and valuing her books and theology. And I'd read that article a few years ago and felt unmoored by it, too. But I think your approach is wise. So much of what she was accused of is sheer humanity. I wish there were a term for this type of accusation, which I see often. I confess I noticed it first when I was "diagnosed" with a mental breakdown (by very loving people in my life) in part because "it's typical of mentally ill people to have bizarre ideas about hell."
Hello? Have you ever met anyone who does NOT have bizarre ideas about hell? It's like saying "Most serial killers like chocolate" to diagnose passing serial killers. Do you know? Is there a term for this type of behavior? (Maybe we could coin one, let's try a shocker-term, a portmanteau of bizarre and hell).
Likewise, I see in myself a penchant for spotting inconsistencies in other people, the people I don't want to like. I'm always telling myself, "Look, inconsistency is low-hanging fruit." Everyone is inconsistent. No, we don't want to make excuses for wrong behavior...but it's okay to be generous with others who are also still growing. Thanks for your commentary on this subject; it applies to more than just writers.
"Sheer humanity" is right =)
I had never read Madeline L'Engle until you recommended her. I've read a few of her books and I've enjoyed them. She is a skilled author. I really appreciated your take on "truth" and canceling and reading good books.
Thank you! I recognize that maybe she isn't as skilled or the best there ever was, but she was formative for me at a particular juncture and has remained formative for me through the years.
Thank you for writing this. I listened to The Tell, and was sad to start seeing more come out about it shortly thereafter. I questioned the drug and "recovery" aspect, but it also seemed too personally fit to her life, with the conversations with her children and such, to expect something like this. I've been sucked in to all of the commentary on West's book, even though I never planned to read it. It's so sad. I appreciate how you've spoken about truth, slant, plagiarism, and writing from pain over the years. I am writing a lot from pain at the moment, privately, and although I'm nowhere near a place where it would be shared, I already worry about how to handle that in the future (maybe distance is the answer?) because of that URGE to share.
That urge, it's powerful, isn't it?
I believe this is something we all must walk in the shadow of, isn't it? And I also believe that God is always closer than we know and may, in fact, be the one responsible for the very light that "enlightens" us.
"Christ plays in ten-thousand places," so I have to believe he's playing in me.
Misremembering can often just be our way of trying to make sense of it all =)