Holy in so many ways.

It is a concept that holds profound meaning and significance. The word "holy" evokes a sense of the sacred, the divine, and the transcendent. It can refer to a place, such as a holy shrine or a place of worship, where people go to connect with the spiritual realm.

Holy can also describe a person who is considered to be saintly or virtuous, someone who lives a life dedicated to a higher purpose.

In addition, certain objects or practices can be regarded as holy, such as religious texts, rituals, and ceremonies.

The idea of the holy is present in many different religions and cultures around the world, each with its own unique understanding and表达方式.

Whether it is through prayer, meditation, or acts of kindness, the pursuit of the holy is a universal human endeavor that enriches our lives and gives us a sense of meaning and purpose.

I may have highlighted almost as much as I read. It seems that every page holds some nugget of information or interesting detail that catches my eye.

I may release those highlights if Goodreads decides to stop being so dadgum squirrelly. It's a bit frustrating when the platform doesn't function as expected.

This would be a really good reference book for someone who wanted to set a novel midcentury. The descriptions and details provided offer a wealth of inspiration for creating an authentic and immersive setting.

Whether it's the fashion, the social norms, or the historical events of the time, this book has it all. It's like a time capsule that allows you to step back in time and experience the midcentury era.

Overall, I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in midcentury history or looking to add some authenticity to their writing. It's a great resource that is sure to be useful and inspiring.

If you happened to catch a glimpse of me shedding tears over the word "confluence", well, let me tell you, no you didn't. The word "confluence" might seem rather ordinary to most people, just a simple combination of letters. But for me, it holds a special significance. It could be that it triggers a memory, a feeling, or an emotion that I can't quite put into words. Maybe it reminds me of a place where two rivers meet, or a moment when different ideas or paths converge. Whatever the reason, the sight of that word can bring a rush of emotions that are sometimes overwhelming. So, if you think you saw me crying over it, trust me, you must have been mistaken.

One of the best autobiographies I have ever read is truly an amazing piece of work.

It is so interesting that it keeps you hooked from the very first page. The author's life story is filled with unique experiences, challenges, and triumphs that make it a captivating read.

You get to follow the author's journey through different stages of life, learning about their成长历程, dreams, and the decisions they made along the way.

The writing style is engaging and easy to understand, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the author's world.

Whether you are interested in personal growth, history, or just a good story, this autobiography has something for everyone. It is a must-read for anyone looking for an inspiring and entertaining book.

Probably 3.5 stars but I usually round up.

I delved deep into my to-read list for this particular book. I'm not entirely certain what triggered the thought, but there I stood at the ICPL, saying to myself, “There’s that book about writing...by a southern woman writer, yet I can't recall her name or the title of the book...” So, I googled “quintessential southern writers” and Eudora Welty's name popped up. Immediately, I remembered, “One Writer’s Beginnings.” This book doesn't take long to read, and my copy was quite small in size. I relished the feel of it in my hands.

One Writer’s Beginnings chronicles the story of Welty's成长历程, her love for books and imagination, the significance of family, and the passage of time. What will remain with me is her affection for her parents, the strength and courage of her mom, the voice she hears as she reads to herself, and how kids always have a penchant for listening to adults talk - perhaps in search of stories.

I'll remember the extremely mean librarian, Mrs. Calloway, the one who had the only fan in the Jackson, Mississippi Carnegie Library facing her desk and would send girls home if she could see through their skirt. “...she sent you straight back home: you could just put on another petticoat if you wanted a book that badly from the public library. I was willing; I would do anything to read.”

She recalls going to her father's office on weekends (as do I) and writes about her brother typing a letter to their mom, “Dear Mrs. C. W. Welty. I think you know me. I think you like me.”

Ms. Welty writes about her and her brothers being ill with the measles or whooping cough. “...we were isolated in bed upstairs, we wrote notes to each other perhaps on the hour. Our devoted mother would pass them for us, after first running them in a hot oven to kill the germs. They came into our hands curled up and warm, sometimes scorched, like toast.”

She writes about the first thing her father did when they returned from trips to West Virginia and how different his task was from the first ones Lynn does after trips in 2019. “Doing likewise, more methodically, my father was going from room to room re-starting all the clocks.”

“I learned much later - after he was dead, in fact, the time when we so often learn fundamental things about our parents - how well indeed he knew the journey, and how he happened to do so.”

“It is our inward journey that leads us through time - forward or back, seldom in a straight line, most often spiraling. Each of us is moving, changing, with respect to others. As we discover, we remember; remembering, we discover; and most intensely do we experience this when our separate journeys converge. Our living experience at those meeting points is one of the charged dramatic fields of fiction.”

This little treasure got lost in my bookshelf.

Years ago, I purchased it when our book group was finished reading Eudora Welty. I'm not a writer, but I especially enjoyed the latter portion where she is in her 70's and remembering her parents' motivations, personalities, and speculates on their reasons for their actions.

She discovered a small keepsake written by her grandmother to her young son. I instantly related to the tiny book my grandmother wrote to my father as a young child. I received this treasure as a college student and recopied several of the poems throughout my life.

Now that I am in my 70's, I look differently toward my young parents and speculate on their hopes, dreams, and motivations. It's as if this little book has opened a door to a world of memories and reflections.

I often wonder what my grandmother was thinking when she wrote those words to my father. What were her hopes and dreams for him? How did she envision his future?

As I look back on my own life, I realize that the words in this book have had a profound impact on me. They have inspired me, comforted me, and made me think about the importance of family and the power of words.

This little treasure may have been lost in my bookshelf for a while, but it has now been found and will continue to be a source of inspiration and reflection for years to come.

I don't even remember requesting this from Scribner, but when it showed up on my doorstep, One Writer's Beginnings made me feel entirely delighted.

I saved it for a day off so I could dedicate the entire day to reading it, and I'm glad I took the time with it. I've only read one of Welty's stories for my American Lit class in college, but this makes me want to visit everything she's written. Her perception of the world just speaks to me on so many different levels.

Welty's description of her life in Mississippi has an undercurrent of truth to it that's difficult to ignore and easy to be enchanted by. I was fascinated by her recollections of the 1918 pandemic and how certain things then correlated with today. It seems at times so strange that this was only one hundred years ago, and not many things are different.

What I loved the most about this memoir were Welty's recollections of her reading life and how her reading life developed her writing life. The passages in which she says she yearned to listen to a story reminded me of my own childhood where I felt like I was hungry to just know everything about my family's life.

It's always somewhat of a shock to discover who your parents and extended family were and are outside of the familiarity with which you grew up, that your parents and aunts and uncles and grandparents were and are people with minds of their own outside of their roles in your life, and that upon looking back you are able to pick out the narrative threads in the past that lead people to become who they are in the present. Fiction helps bring these threads together, though people are by no means mere stories in themselves.

This slim memoir is by no means short. I found myself getting lost in the recollections and explorations Welty puts forth in each of the three sections. I wanted more, but I was satisfied with what I was given; and Welty's memoir made me consider my own history and my own relationship with words and writing.

"Of course the greatest confluence of all is that which makes up the human memory -- the individual human memory. My own is the treasure most dearly regarded by me, in my life and in my work as a writer. Here time, also, is subject to confluence. The memory is a living thing -- it too is in transit. But during its moment, all that is remember joins and lives -- the old and the young, the past and the present, the living and the dead."

As you have seen, I am a writer who came of a sheltered life. A sheltered life can be a daring life as well. For all serious daring starts from within.

This would make a wonderful gift for a reader, and I'm so pleased to have had the chance to experience it myself.

Thank you to Scribner for sending me a complimentary copy for review! All opinions are my own.

A quick, 104-page book offers an in-depth exploration of the various influences in Eudora Welty's life and how they significantly shaped her into the remarkable writer she became.

From her early childhood experiences in Mississippi to the people she encountered and the events she witnessed, each aspect played a crucial role in molding her perspective and writing style.

The book delves into the cultural, social, and historical context of Welty's life, highlighting the impact it had on her creative output.

Readers will gain a better understanding of how her upbringing, education, and personal relationships influenced her choice of themes, characters, and narrative techniques.

By examining these influences, the book provides valuable insights into the making of a great writer and offers a fascinating glimpse into the life and works of Eudora Welty.

The original text "Not terribly interesting" seems rather brief and lacking in detail. It gives the impression that something is not overly engaging or captivating.

Perhaps it could refer to a book, a movie, a conversation, or any other experience that fails to hold one's attention.

However, without further context, it's difficult to determine exactly what is meant by this statement.

It could be that the person making the comment had high expectations that were not met, or perhaps they simply have different tastes and interests.

In any case, "Not terribly interesting" is a somewhat subjective assessment that leaves room for interpretation.

It might prompt others to ask for more information or to share their own perspectives on the matter.

Overall, while this short phrase may not be the most exciting or thought-provoking, it does serve as a starting point for further discussion and exploration.

This book has its origin in a series of three lectures that Eudora Welty gave at Harvard in 1983.

Here, I am reviewing a reissue which comes with a new introduction.

I never had the chance to read the book when it was first released. In fact, I know very little about Welty.

It was truly fascinating to learn about the experiences of growing up at the beginning of the last century. There were car and train rides, the enjoyment of the Victrola, and the piano teacher who would swat students' hands when they made a mistake.

Welty also offered valuable insights into what it takes to be a writer and how her keen observations were transformed into some of her fictional characters.

After reading this, I am now definitely eager to read more of Welty's fiction. I am truly grateful to the publisher and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to review this ARC.

I look forward to delving deeper into Welty's literary world and uncovering more of her remarkable works.

A meticulous review of the childhood passages that have marked Eudora Welty's work. In the book, the family episodes that reside in her memory and projected part of the essence of her work are traversed. Also, the influence of the American South and the lifestyle at the beginning of the 20th century, deeply characterized in the life of her ancestors, people she remembers and closely relates to her own identity, as well as to her work.

Along with the above, the writer tells us about her experience regarding the profession of writer, while revealing to us its ultimate meaning.

This exploration into Welty's childhood and her writing career provides a fascinating look into the mind and artistry of this renowned author. We get to see how her early life experiences shaped her as a writer and how she was able to capture the essence of the American South in her works.

Through her words, we can feel the love and respect she has for her family and her roots, and how these elements have contributed to the richness and depth of her writing. Overall, this review offers a valuable insight into the life and work of Eudora Welty.

If you love Eudora Welty (and I do), you will truly enjoy delving deeper into her life, which had a profound impact on her writing.

Eudora Welty was a remarkable American writer, known for her vivid and poignant stories. Her life experiences, growing up in the South, influenced her perspective and the themes she explored in her works.

By reading more about her life, we can gain a better understanding of the people, places, and events that shaped her as a writer. We can learn about her relationships, her travels, and the challenges she faced.

These insights into her life can enhance our appreciation of her writing, allowing us to see the connections between her personal experiences and the fictional worlds she created.

Whether you are a long-time fan of Eudora Welty or new to her work, reading more about her life is a fascinating and rewarding experience. It can offer a new perspective on her writing and deepen our understanding of this talented and influential author.