Tayari's Blog: White Angel, by Michael Cunningham
Posted by TayariJones on September 12, 2005 09:23 AM
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I am getting back into my reading-mode. My concern about hurricane Katrina sort of pulled me away from my literature-habit. But you know what, I really NEED to read. It nourishes me.
So yesterday, I did some soul-nourishing things. I put on Sweet Honey In The Rock on my new stereo.. a garage sale special. The voice of Bernice Johnson Reagan excites my soul and fills me with purpose. "We who believe in freedom cannot rest until it comes." And of course, my favorite, "Fannie Lou Hamer." (have you ever wondered how come there are so many little boys named after our heroes.. little Malcolms, Marcuses, Ches, etc.. but hardly any girls named Fannie Lou, Soujourner, Ida, Harriet?)
And then, I made a red-velvet cake, ate way too much of it, and gave the rest away.
And finally, I sat down to read. I picked up "White Angel," a short story by Michael Cunningham because I had assigned it to my 105 Course. Oh, the beauty of language. The story is about a nine year old who idolizes his older brother who is into drugs, sex and rock 'n roll. You know, the best literature often sounds sort of stupid when you describe it. I think it's because the summary can't capture the magic of it.
Anyway, after reading the story, I wanted to take the book and spike it like a football in the in-zone. It made me want to pick up The Hours and try once more to read it. But most importantly, it made me want to write again.
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There are 6 comments on "White Angel, by Michael Cunningham". If you'd like to leave a comment, click here to jump down to the comments entry form.
Comment #1, by Dee Stewart
Glad to know you're reading again. I cut myself off also. Plan to read Zaie Smith's on Beauty this week, but write now I have the 2004 best American Norequired Reading at my feet and am completing the second draft of my own short story. When you say You know, the best literature often sounds sort of stupid when you describe it. I think it's because the summary can't capture the magic of it. That's so funny. When I review books, the best ones are hard to summarize. :)
September 12, 2005 06:56 PM
Comment #2, by Cherlyn
I'm probably backwards. I find that reading and writing helps me to get through tragedies such as these. I usually read non ficiton or classical fiction (even though I write contemporary) because it inspires me more. I love imagery, word that flow and magically leap off the page. You find that most often in the classics or literary style writing. Right now, I'm reading the Norton's Anthology of Short Fiction, which has stories by various literary authors. I'm in the midst of The Death of Ivan Ilyach by Leo Tolstoy.
September 13, 2005 09:26 AM
Comment #3, by Tammee
Hey Tayari,
You're right about that whole reading/writing connection. Reading something special makes me want to write something special. Just finished this great book by somebody named, Tayari Jones or something like that(lol), and it made me sit back down and get some work done.
Thanks for the inspiration!
September 13, 2005 02:01 PM
Comment #4, by Judy
Michael Cunningham can make you fall in love with language over and over again! The Hours did it for me. And yes, most definitely send you off to your own computer or tablet with the best expectations for your own success -- capturing the miracle of living in language.
September 14, 2005 03:47 PM
Comment #5, by Steven
You are so right about 'White Angel". To describe it sounds banal, but it is absolutely breathtaking. It's a pleasure to read as it flows almost lyrically.
October 3, 2005 08:00 AM
Comment #6, by timo
The story "White Angel" is my favorite short. It's language, imagery and inevitability of retrospect make it a perfect piece to study. It ranks up there with "The Story of a Dead Man" by McPherson.
These two are the models I stand by.
timo howard
November 3, 2005 06:07 PM