First off, I'm feeling bemused by the fact that of the stories you shared in your 1/8/24 collection of essays, stories someone (like me) might have missed, I chose to read this one first. Kingsolver is one of my all-time favorite writers, and I have long marveled at her ability to weave facts into storytelling, and the other way around. I read a comment on another 'Stack the other day that went something like this: "This is so beautiful that it makes me want to scratch every word I've ever written from the internet." That, I'm sure, is not the point. But, yes -- it is equal parts humbling and inspiring to read the words of masters like these.
It's always a pleasure to read great passages. My favorite Lincoln speech is his Second Inaugural. It may be my all time favorite speech.
https://www.battlefields.org/sites/default/files/atoms/files/Lincoln%20Second%20Inagural%20Address.pdf
Good point about the relative lack of passivity in Lincoln. A lesson for all writers.
First off, I'm feeling bemused by the fact that of the stories you shared in your 1/8/24 collection of essays, stories someone (like me) might have missed, I chose to read this one first. Kingsolver is one of my all-time favorite writers, and I have long marveled at her ability to weave facts into storytelling, and the other way around. I read a comment on another 'Stack the other day that went something like this: "This is so beautiful that it makes me want to scratch every word I've ever written from the internet." That, I'm sure, is not the point. But, yes -- it is equal parts humbling and inspiring to read the words of masters like these.