Geraldine Brooks Had an Unpleasant Surprise When She Taught at Harvard
"Half my students had never read a Shakespeare play," says the historical novelist, whose latest book is "Horse." "That set my hair on fire."
...Which subjects do you wish more authors would write about?
We have to reframe the story of climate change so that it is not only about renunciation and loss, but also about possibility and joy. A wild lawn full of bees and wildflowers is more beautiful and less work than a dull expanse of toxic ChemLawn; a sunlight-powered electric car happens to be a more sporty drive than a gas vehicle, and a pre-owned treasure discovered while socializing with neighbors at the local Dumptique brings more satisfaction than a plastic tchotchke one-clicked on the internet. It's not about giving things up but finding better ways.
...
Do you prefer books that reach you emotionally, or intellectually?
How can you feel without thinking? In what world, or species, would those two qualities be separable?
...
If you could require the president to read one book, what would it be?
"The End of Nature," by Bill McKibben, with the publication date of 1989 picked out in highlighter. It might remind him we've faffed about on this crisis for more than three decades so it's time to stomp on Joe Manchin and get a climate package passed... nyt
"Half my students had never read a Shakespeare play," says the historical novelist, whose latest book is "Horse." "That set my hair on fire."
...Which subjects do you wish more authors would write about?
We have to reframe the story of climate change so that it is not only about renunciation and loss, but also about possibility and joy. A wild lawn full of bees and wildflowers is more beautiful and less work than a dull expanse of toxic ChemLawn; a sunlight-powered electric car happens to be a more sporty drive than a gas vehicle, and a pre-owned treasure discovered while socializing with neighbors at the local Dumptique brings more satisfaction than a plastic tchotchke one-clicked on the internet. It's not about giving things up but finding better ways.
...
Do you prefer books that reach you emotionally, or intellectually?
How can you feel without thinking? In what world, or species, would those two qualities be separable?
...
If you could require the president to read one book, what would it be?
"The End of Nature," by Bill McKibben, with the publication date of 1989 picked out in highlighter. It might remind him we've faffed about on this crisis for more than three decades so it's time to stomp on Joe Manchin and get a climate package passed... nyt
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