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reviewed by: Gail

Several months ago I began an article for Ninepatch about what I was in the process of reading. I took a long time to finish Virginia Woolf's classic, Mrs. Dalloway. Then I read Michael Cunningham's, The Hours, based on Mrs. Dalloway. During that time, I also saw the movie, "The Hours." (It was one nominated for best movie and Nicole Kidman also won best actress in it for her portrayal of Virginia Woolf.) Mrs. Dalloway -- the book -- was unique in that it takes place in the course of one day. It features ruminations and reminiscings that cascade down the pages in waterfall fashion, sometimes never breaking for a paragraph. The author, Woolf, suffered severe depression and also took drugs for her death-defying headaches. Some of the writing may have been written while she was near hallucination. Nevertheless, it is poetic and insightful. In a radio review a few years ago, I remember hearing, at least one person's opinion, that Woolf was considered the most influential female writer of the 20th century. I can see where that might be so. She discussed homosexuality freely, when that subject was taboo in the 20's and 30's. One of the great attributes of intelligent people is that they are great observers. That, she was. In addition, her work is most detailed. Cunningham's book is also intriguing. The manner in which he entwines the lives of the three main female characters is brilliant. In his book, Mrs. Dalloway, the fictitious character in Woolf's book, is given equal footing to Woolf herself and to Mrs. Brown, the third female character. Interestingly, fictitious characters are given a life-like status on a par with Woolf. This makes the story quite different and interesting.

Gail adds, "I have two more related books to share. One is Drinking: A Love Story by Caroline Knapp. Knapp's latest is, Attitudes: Why Women Want. Unfortunately, there won't be further books as she died of cancer last year. She was an excellent writer.

Since Knapp was inspired by Pete Hamill's book, A Drinking Life, I picked up that, too. I'm a third of the way through. Hamill's parents were Irish immigrants and his early childhood in the book reminds me of Irish Frank McCourt's, Angela's Ashes."

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I had the pleasant experience of hearing Thomas Moore, well-known author of Care of the Soul in person. Moore spoke in my city last night at a local area church.

I never read that most famous book, but I do have, Soul Mates. Moore is a maverick thinker who writes with deep in sight and clarity. He says he has a Charlie Brown complex- he was not good with girls, if anything could go wrong, it would and even his dog complained about him. Now however, Moore laughs at his plight.

Among other things he said at the end that many people in this country are very passionate in favor of the war and many are passionate against it. The important focus through it all - in terms of caring for our souls -- is to try to get beyond our differences and unite for our common good. Interestingly, he said we spend so much time on self, trying to fix ourselves, thinking of the past, the future, while life right now is passing us by.

Basically, he is saying, "Embrace your flaws, you'll never be perfect and it's OK."

Gail (May '03) adds, "I needed to hear his message because my passions tend to take me to another planet!