Nov 17Liked by The Declining Academic, M. E. Rothwell
Wow what a wonderful feeling to read this and for somebody to articulate what I haven’t been able to put words into. Indeed, “books are like people; sometimes you just meet them at the right or wrong time.”
Nov 16Liked by The Declining Academic, M. E. Rothwell
I love how this essay itself is a wrinkle in time. It’s a lovely audiobook, which is how my son and I enjoyed it when he was about 10. Thank you for this beautiful rumination.
Nov 22Liked by The Declining Academic, M. E. Rothwell
Oh that's so interesting to document, a sort of there and back again. I love what you said at the end, that we fall for the myth of progress even irt our own growth/development as people. As someone who naturally romanticizes the past (not mine but everyone else's lol), it's a good reminder that time is relative; we aren't necessarily better or worse than we were, just different. Also, we can recognize when real growth/healing happens and not condescend or patronize our younger selves and the things they treasured.
Nov 19Liked by The Declining Academic, M. E. Rothwell
I love this perspective! I had a similar (though maybe opposite experience) with A Wrinkle in Time. When I was teaching, I had many students who loved the book so I kept trying to read it but never could get through it. Then my daughter downloaded the audio and listening to it with her as she was totally taken in, I loved it! Right book, right time, right company!
Nov 17Liked by The Declining Academic, M. E. Rothwell
Wow. I am not sure I have had relationships like this with a book but I have definitely had that with movies. Certain films I used to like as a kid became films I really didn't like as an adult and vice versa. Tarkovsky's Solaris adaptation, for example, was a tedious movie I could not get through when I was a teenager but now I find it to be fascinating, a picture that never fails to hold my interest. Indeed, it is amazing how time can change your perception of a work.
Than again, we do not have the wonder of an 8-year old anymore. And neither do today’s 8-year olds, I’m afraid. Maybe we should be asking those kids if there is anything that gives them wonder now?
A Wrinkle in Time
Wow what a wonderful feeling to read this and for somebody to articulate what I haven’t been able to put words into. Indeed, “books are like people; sometimes you just meet them at the right or wrong time.”
I love how this essay itself is a wrinkle in time. It’s a lovely audiobook, which is how my son and I enjoyed it when he was about 10. Thank you for this beautiful rumination.
My favorite line from this book is “Love is not how you feel. Love is what you do.” 🥰❤️
I've been thinking about this for the last few weeks. Funnily enough, this came at the right time for me.
Oh that's so interesting to document, a sort of there and back again. I love what you said at the end, that we fall for the myth of progress even irt our own growth/development as people. As someone who naturally romanticizes the past (not mine but everyone else's lol), it's a good reminder that time is relative; we aren't necessarily better or worse than we were, just different. Also, we can recognize when real growth/healing happens and not condescend or patronize our younger selves and the things they treasured.
I love this perspective! I had a similar (though maybe opposite experience) with A Wrinkle in Time. When I was teaching, I had many students who loved the book so I kept trying to read it but never could get through it. Then my daughter downloaded the audio and listening to it with her as she was totally taken in, I loved it! Right book, right time, right company!
Wow. I am not sure I have had relationships like this with a book but I have definitely had that with movies. Certain films I used to like as a kid became films I really didn't like as an adult and vice versa. Tarkovsky's Solaris adaptation, for example, was a tedious movie I could not get through when I was a teenager but now I find it to be fascinating, a picture that never fails to hold my interest. Indeed, it is amazing how time can change your perception of a work.
Yes I have had this experience many times with books I've read at different points in my life.
Than again, we do not have the wonder of an 8-year old anymore. And neither do today’s 8-year olds, I’m afraid. Maybe we should be asking those kids if there is anything that gives them wonder now?