what is it about new yorker writers? i have had a love affair with them since my first fiction edition years ago. indeed, some of the best writers around.

these stories are straightforwardly complex. if that is even possible. they make my heart break and sing all at the same time. definitely weak in the knees over almost every incredibly well crafted sentence.

gallant captures situation, psychology, humor in few words. sentences to be read over and over again because of how keen they are--truly grasping the nuances of place (incredible european cosmpolitan and countryside-sigh! yes!), time, relations.

i have been thinking of jung's light and shadow psychology as i've been reading these stories. how life is full of beauty and raw instinct (often considered negatively dark but to me it is what makes us whole--to know that our selves are full of dynamics and to live well, freely. allowing feeling and space for all.)

that in our human-ness we desire to both share and love and sometimes within that we also fall prey to concealing and fear. that we contain all aspects of sad, mad, afraid, and glad. gallant captures this in what seems like effortlessness inspiring--at least me--to continue to truly relax into each moment. even the tough ones. because that is what is real (man, i so enjoy life. it's beautiful. it sucks sometimes. it's wondrous. it is perfectly imperfect.)

and somehow she does all of this with striking poignancy that never feels overworked or cliche. how does she do it? big, big crush.

so very glad it's not over yet. still more days of feeling sun soaked (i do love to read outside) literary joy of range.

--------------------------

it just gets richer and richer, smarter and smarter, and more and more engaging. i'm so wowed. ms. mavis sure can write.


------------------

it's been a long time since i read a book with pen in hand to highlight the good stuff. oh man. this IS the good stuff.

jhumpa lahiri said this of gallant:

"the _cost of living_ is about a company of strangers bound to one another by animosity as much as by unexpected love. characters are scrupulously observed ranging from freebooters and malingerers to runaway children to fashion models. stories that are at once satirical and lyrical, passionate and skeptical, perfectly calibrated and in constant motion, brilliantly capturing the untidiness of life."

i'm loving it.

---------------------

short stories--yes, please. mavis gallant not previously published--thank you. set in paris, new york, the riviera, and montreal--armchair traveling delightful.