Quoted in Frances Mayes's Swan, a book recently reviewed (here) by me, Frost's poem rang a bell not only because I'd just read this fine review of Stanlis's book (link) by my college advisor, John Willson, but also because I'd been contemplating parenting (aka teaching) with the book club selection, Ten Ways to Destroy the Imagination of Your Child.
Some say in ice.
From what I’ve tasted of desire
I hold with those who favor fire.
But if it had to perish twice,
I think I know enough of hate
To say that for destruction ice
Is also great,
And would suffice.
by Robert Frost
American Poet
1874 - 1963
Adding The Poet as Philosopher to my Wish List at Amazon, I'd love to know what's on yours.
As of now, Swan is on my wish list, along with Miss Betsey, a book called A Song for Nagasaki: The Story of Takashi Nagai-Scientist, Convert, and Survivor of the Atomic Bomb, recommended by one of the participants of the Poetic Knowledge bookclub, Reversed Thunder, which Cindy recommended, Old House of Fear by Russell Kirk, recommended by Carol, and another one called Written in Tears a sort of memoir by a father who lost his young daughter to a sudden illness. I'm going to read that and see if it's suitable to send to my mom, so I'll probably get it first.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a well-rounded list, Kelly.
ReplyDeleteMy is rather long with lots of choices that can be tailored to mood and circumstance ;-)
One topic for which I am at a loss (book-wise) is one to share with those whose spouse has died. Most recent case involved a wife caring for husband during a long terminal illness. Neither were Christian.
Those were just a few items of interest -- my Amazon wish list is four pages long and my shopping cart has over two dozen items saved to purchase later. And that's not counting the books I already own that I haven't read yet.
ReplyDelete:-p
I can't even imagine what you'd say to a non-Christian in a situation like that. Dealing with grief as a Christian is hard enough as it is, knowing that death is not the end. Something I've always wanted to read is C.S. Lewis's A Grief Observed. I started it in my twenties and it was good, but way over my head at the time. I don't know if a non-Christian would find it helpful though. Have you ever read it?