Thanks for this. I have a similar story where my mother took me to the library every Saturday starting at the age of 4. Her favorites were mysteries -- Erle Stanley Gardner, A.A. Fair, etc. She gave me such a love for books. She also did crossword puzzles until the day she died at 92.
Gosh, I should. Just submitted an essay on my dad in WW 2. I have all of his letters he wrote to his parents when he was fighting in France and Italy. They are precious to me.
Wow! My father was saved from death in April 1945 by young American soldiers--I've written about it in my memoir My Germany--and some years ago I met several of them at a conference and got to thank them. It was amazing.
We carry with us the people we loved and who loved us; I think of my father as the better part of myself. Your mother sounds like she was a truly wonderful woman.
What a lovely tribute to an amazing woman. I can see how much she enriched your life and gave you the freedom to enrich your own stories. And it goes on. That's the beauty part. It goes on.
Yes, indeed. And when I read about her through you now, I see her and hear her. And thank you, Lev, for letting us know how she influenced your writing and is in it so much. It all makes sense, you know.
I always enjoy reading about your mother and the Portrait of a Lady essay was quite moving.
Thanks!
Wonderful piece, and on so many levels.
Thanks. I love writing about her. And her yorzeit is tomorrow. She died 25 years ago and is still very much present to me.
I loved this, and I’m happy to say I’ve only recently discovered the Martin Beck novels. Good stuff!
Thanks. Are you a fan of Nordic Noir? If not, you might soon be one. :-)
I’ve read three or four authors in that subgenre— yes, I think it’s fair to say that I’m a fan
I think I even have a book ABOUT the subject kicking around here somewhere.
Check out Wendy Lesser's book Nordic Noir, part study, part memoir.
I’ll take a look— I think I have that book. If I’m thinking of the same one, I’ve read most of it and it’s good.
Thanks for this. I have a similar story where my mother took me to the library every Saturday starting at the age of 4. Her favorites were mysteries -- Erle Stanley Gardner, A.A. Fair, etc. She gave me such a love for books. She also did crossword puzzles until the day she died at 92.
Will you write about that? Her love of mysteries and crosswords?
Gosh, I should. Just submitted an essay on my dad in WW 2. I have all of his letters he wrote to his parents when he was fighting in France and Italy. They are precious to me.
Wow! My father was saved from death in April 1945 by young American soldiers--I've written about it in my memoir My Germany--and some years ago I met several of them at a conference and got to thank them. It was amazing.
I feel sad for the kids that grow up in a house without books... the love of reading is the most wonderful communicable disease. Beautiful text, Lev.
We had books in four different rooms and I especially loved growing up in apartments that had large foyers with room for bookshelves.
We carry with us the people we loved and who loved us; I think of my father as the better part of myself. Your mother sounds like she was a truly wonderful woman.
A gifted woman, indeed.
What a lovely tribute to an amazing woman. I can see how much she enriched your life and gave you the freedom to enrich your own stories. And it goes on. That's the beauty part. It goes on.
It does.
Well said, Lev! And what a beautiful tribute to a wonderful woman.
Dennis
Thanks, and you knew her.
Yes, indeed. And when I read about her through you now, I see her and hear her. And thank you, Lev, for letting us know how she influenced your writing and is in it so much. It all makes sense, you know.
Of course I never met your mother but do feel that I know her a bit. These tributes to her are loving and lovely.
Thank you. Her 25th yorzeit is on the 9th which is why this was on my mind.