Wise friend,
Years ago you wrote about Annie Dillard’s book “An American Childhood”.
Lovely friend,
I looked back at my notes about the novel. Many times, when I read books about children, I wonder, “How come their young life was so rich?”
Fair enough, it’s a style that makes such books attractive to adults. It is the adult who remembers things and adds to the child‘s thoughts and feelings, who understands one’s childhood from the adult point of view. The author would relate the story using the words and language of a youngster.
These touches lead to sweet memories, cause the child look as if much more mature, more intelligent, and well in touch with own emotions already at a very young age.
Probably, I project quite a lot when I read. So, I recognise myself in that child. When I‘m looking from the eyes of an adult to my childhood life, I now perceive the richness of those feelings and thoughts. I didn’t have that experience, neither her commitment to her own childhood projects, nor the parents of Annie Dillard, but I see about what she talked, and I enjoyed the reading.
I plan to re-read the book.
Wise friend,
Talented fiction writers exaggerate real people when creating characters. Otherwise, readers get bored.
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Do interesting fiction characters, even if evil and immoral, or good and moral need to be active, fighters, moving from doing to doing?
eachword-eachday 