Snow Flower and the Secret Fan
To prepare for the May visit by Lisa See at Arts & Lectures (http://www.artsandlectures.org), started Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, a novel set in mid 19th century China. Things I didn’t know: details of foot binding (OMG; had previously held the vague notion that bound feet were merely strapped together at the ankles!); hierarchy of Chinese families in mid nineteenth century, which provided insight into and appreciation of what I experienced during my trips to the Fan family compound near Shanghai China in 2008 and 2009 and to the countryside in Sichuan Province in 2005.
Lincoln’s Legend
Finished Team of Rivals by Doris Kearns Goodwin. Impressed by Lincoln’s listening intently to everyone but making his own decisions; his being devoid of personal ego. It was interesting to compare the level of partisan gridlock in the country then to now. Also saw the movie Invictus. Impressed by Nelson Mandela’s having the same leadership style and world view as Lincoln did.
Lessons Learned from Rule Against Murder
Finished Louise Penny’s Rule Against Murder and heard her speak at Arts & Lectures (http://www.artsandlectures.org). Her lessons learned: don’t announce on CBC radio that you are retiring to write a book (that’s an instant recipe for writer’s block); to refuse trying to write because of fear of failure is worse than trying and failing; write for yourself, don’t write in anticipation of what you think your critics or readers will say.
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