Brief and concentrated like a gem, this book is truly a remarkable piece. I could only read a few pages a day, but each page was filled with such profound wisdom and beautiful prose that it was a joy to savor. It serves not only as a memoir, taking the reader on a journey through the author's life experiences, but also as a guide on writing and living. The author's insights into the writing process are both inspiring and practical, offering valuable tips and techniques for aspiring writers. At the same time, the book also explores the meaning and purpose of life, encouraging the reader to reflect on their own values and priorities. Overall, this is a book that I would highly recommend to anyone who loves good writing and is interested in exploring the deeper aspects of life.

Eudora Welty's small yet significant literary memories are very well divided into the following aspects:

1. Listening

2. Learning to see

3. Finding a voice

I say they are very well divided because she tells us how she developed as a writer throughout her life, from childhood to adulthood, going through a religious education and her relationship with her parents. And what she tells is precious, full of simplicity, as if a grandmother were telling you her life and you eager for more and more. It is a book that talks about writing, but without teaching you tips on how to write. However, I think those three points that divide the book are more than sufficient for one to start experimenting in the beautiful world of writing.

I was left wanting to read more books by the author, and surely I will do so :)

I'm really not certain how it came to be that I ended up reading this memoir. The truth is, I've never delved into any of the writer's stories or novels before. In fact, prior to this, I had never even heard of her name. As I perused through the pages of this memoir, nothing that I read within its confines managed to inspire me in the slightest to go out and seek more of her work. It's rather strange, really. I had expected to perhaps find some hidden gem or a spark of something that would pique my interest and make me want to explore her literary output further. But alas, that was not the case. Maybe it's just that this particular memoir didn't resonate with me on a personal level. Or perhaps the writer's style simply isn't to my taste. Whatever the reason may be, I find myself left with no desire to pursue more of her writings.

I learned from the age of two or three that any room in our house, at any time of day, was there to read in, or be read to. -Eudora Welty

This remarkable book is truly a treasure trove filled with countless incredible quotes about reading. It delves deep into the essence of the love of reading rather than just focusing on writing. Reading is not just an activity here; it is a way of life. From the cozy corners of our homes to the quiet nooks during the day or the peaceful evenings, every space becomes a haven for the magic of words. These quotes inspire us to explore the wonderful world of books, to lose ourselves in the stories, and to let the power of reading transform our lives. It is a celebration of the joy and passion that comes with opening a book and embarking on a literary adventure.

Whether you are a seasoned reader or just starting out, this book is sure to touch your heart and reignite your love for reading. So, pick it up, immerse yourself in the words, and let the journey begin.

I read this for the second time as research for my novel Nevermind.

The storylines and characters in this piece have truly captured my imagination and are providing valuable inspiration for my own work.

I am excited to see how I can incorporate some of the elements I have discovered into my novel, which will soon be published by All Things That Matter Press.

This press has a reputation for publishing high-quality literature, and I am honored to have my work associated with them.

As I continue to read and research, I am confident that I will be able to create a novel that will engage and delight readers.

I can't wait to share Nevermind with the world and see how it is received.

One can't fault the quiet authority of her voice,

or the feeling that one should be reading this in a patch of shade on a summer's day.

Her words seem to carry a certain charm that draws the reader in.

But though I quite agree with her statement that "a sheltered life can be a daring life as well,"

I was less entranced by her stories of her parents and family than I'd hoped.

She has a gentle humor about her, and a way of linking her ideas to time and travel,

which is quite interesting.

However, I wanted more depth and detail in her accounts.

At least for now, I feel a bit disappointed.

Maybe if I try it again on a summer's day,

when the world is bathed in warm sunlight and the breeze is gently blowing,

I will be able to better appreciate the nuances of her writing and the stories she has to tell.

Perhaps the setting will enhance the experience and allow me to see the beauty and significance that I may have missed this time around.

I have an intense love for Eudora.

She was truly an extraordinary individual in countless aspects.

I firmly believe that we would have formed a wonderful friendship.

If at any point in time you happen to find yourself in Jackson, MS, it is an absolute must for you to pay a visit to her home.

Her residence holds a special charm and significance, as it was the place where she lived and created her remarkable works.

Stepping into her home would be like taking a journey back in time, experiencing the essence of the woman who had such a profound impact on the literary world.

It would be an opportunity to soak in the atmosphere that inspired her and gain a deeper understanding of her life and work.

So, don't miss out on this chance to connect with Eudora on a more personal level if you ever find yourself in that part of the world.

**Title: The Life and Insights of Eudora Welty**

The origins of this book lie in the three lectures delivered at Harvard University in April 1983 to inaugurate the William E. Massey lecture series in History. Harvard chose the remarkable Eudora Welty, who presented an autobiography from birth to 30 years of age. She commended David Herbert Donald for his assistance with the lectures. The book is divided into three sections: Listening, Learning to See, and Finding a Voice.

Miss Welty shared a train ride to Ohio with her father. She later learned how well he knew the journey. Her parents had fallen in love in West Virginia and decided to move to Jackson, Mississippi. Eudora saw these trips as great excursions with her father. As she grew, she entered a new phase of life and began to write, realizing the importance of memory, love, and the need to connect with the outside world.

Eudora chose Mississippi State College for Women over a nearby private college. Despite its shortcomings, she found dedicated professors. She became a reporter on the school newspaper and transferred to the University of Wisconsin at Madison. There, Mr. Painter's class had a profound impact on her. After graduating, she moved to New York City and entered Columbia University's Graduate School of Business. Her job with the WPA allowed her to take hundreds of photos, but she determined that words could tell the story behind the photograph better.

Eudora's first published story, "Death of a Traveling Salesman," taught her about human relationships. Her early life was a storybook life, filled with shelter and a gift for listening. She was a genius who could see people as they truly were. Her final two sentences in the book, "A sheltered life can be a daring life as well. For all serious daring starts from within," sum up her courage and legacy as a writer.

Beautifully written exploration of a writer’s family and community in the south.

This piece offers a captivating and beautifully crafted exploration into the life of a writer's family and the community they are a part of in the south. The author delves deep into the rich tapestry of relationships, traditions, and experiences that have shaped the writer's upbringing.

The description of the family is filled with warmth and detail, painting a vivid picture of their daily lives, joys, and sorrows. We get a sense of the strong bonds that hold them together, as well as the unique personalities and quirks of each family member.

Similarly, the exploration of the southern community is equally engaging. The author captures the essence of the place, with its slow-paced lifestyle, charming landscapes, and unique cultural heritage. We learn about the local traditions, festivals, and the sense of community spirit that pervades the area.

Overall, this is a beautifully written and deeply moving piece that offers a fascinating glimpse into the world of a writer's family and community in the south. It is a must-read for anyone interested in exploring the power of family, community, and place in shaping our lives.

My joy was deeply intertwined with writing; that was as much as I knew.

Writing became my escape, my haven in a world that often seemed chaotic. It was through the written word that I could express my deepest thoughts, my wildest dreams, and my most profound emotions.

With a pen in my hand or fingers on a keyboard, I felt a sense of freedom and liberation. I could create entire universes, populate them with unique characters, and tell stories that had the power to touch the hearts and minds of others.

Writing was not just a hobby for me; it was a passion, a driving force that pushed me to explore new ideas and take risks. It was my way of making sense of the world around me and leaving my mark on it.

Whether it was a poem, a short story, or a journal entry, each piece of writing was a part of me, a reflection of my soul. And in that connection with writing, I found a joy that was truly indescribable.

I came across this older book from a family member and was truly intrigued by it.

It was like opening a door to a different era. I found myself completely engrossed in reading about what life was like in the early 1900s. The details were so vivid that it felt as if I was right there, experiencing it all myself.

But it wasn't just the historical aspect that appealed to me. I also greatly liked hearing about this author's unique ways of writing. Her style was captivating and had a charm of its own.

Additionally, learning about how she found the subjects of her books throughout her life was fascinating. It made me realize the importance of observing the world around us and finding inspiration in the simplest of things.

This book has truly been a wonderful discovery, and I look forward to delving deeper into its pages and uncovering more of its hidden treasures.

I have a deep affection for Eudora Welty's fiction, yet I know relatively little about her childhood. A couple of years ago, I read the remarkable What There Is To Say We Have Said, which contains a great deal of correspondence between Welty and another of my favorite authors, William Maxwell. This autobiographical work, composed of numerous memories mainly from Welty's Mississippi childhood, serves as an excellent companion volume.

Regarding One Writer's Beginnings, William Maxwell writes, 'It is all wonderful... The parts of the book that are about her family... are alternately hilarious and affecting. They are a kind of gift... from Miss Welty to her audience.' Penelope Lively deems it 'entrancing reading', and Paul Binding writes in the New Statesman: 'A writer for whom \\"genius\\" is for once an apt word... A book of great sensitivity - as controlled and yet aspiring as a lyric poem.'

One Writer's Beginnings, first published in 1984, was Welty's decision to tell her story in a single 'continuous thread of revelation'. The book offers, as its blurb states, '... an exploration of memory by one of America's finest writers, who has received many honors including the Pulitzer Prize, the American Book Award for Fiction, and the Gold Medal for the novel.' This book consists of three essays - 'Listening', 'Learning to See', and 'Finding a Voice' - which were transcribed from a series of three lectures that Welty delivered at Harvard University in April 1983.

When 'Listening' commences, Welty's words instantly set the scene: 'In our house on North Congress Street in Jackson, Mississippi, where I was born, the eldest of three children, in 1909, we grew up to the sound of clocks striking.' Throughout, Welty's voice is lyrical, candid, and often deeply moving. She reveals her profound love for books, which was present even when she was a very young child. 'I learned,' she writes, 'from the age of two or three that any room in our house, at any time of day, was available for reading, or being read to.' Welty's writing is especially beautiful when she discusses her love for stories: 'It was astonishing and disappointing for me to discover that story books were written by people, that books were not natural wonders, emerging on their own like grass. Yet, regardless of their origin, I cannot recall a time when I was not in love with them - with the books themselves, their covers and bindings, the paper they were printed on, their smell and weight, and with having them in my arms, captured and carried off for myself. Still illiterate, I was eager for them, dedicated to all the reading I could give them.'

In a series of vignettes, Welty touches on stargazing, singing, childhood illness, learning the alphabet, religion, schooling, and the idiosyncrasies of her somewhat unconventional parents, among other things. The imagery she creates is often lovely; for example: 'All children in those small-town, unhurried days had a rich inner life in the movies. Entire families attended together in the evenings, at least once a week, and children were permitted to go without a chaperone in the long summer afternoons - schoolmates with their best friends, pairs of little girls walking briskly the short distance through the park to town under their Japanese parasols.' When she discusses the travels she took with her family each summer, she writes about their positive impact on her later writing: 'I think now, looking back on these summer trips - this one and several others made by car and train - that another element in them must have influenced my mind. The trips were complete in themselves. They were stories. Not only in form but also in their acquisition of direction, movement, development, and change. They changed something in my life: each trip had its own particular revelation, although I could not have put it into words at the time. But with the passage of time, I could look back on them and see them bringing me news, discoveries, premonitions, and promises - I still can; they still do.'

One Writer's Beginnings covers Welty's childhood and includes relatively brief reflections on her college years and the early days of her writing career. She is perceptive about the creation of her characters and the knowledge an author must possess to create sufficient depth. 'Characters sometimes come to life by chance,' writes Welty, 'but I suspect that it is when you can write most fully from within yourself, inside the skin, heart, mind, and soul of a person who is not you, that a character becomes in his own right another human being on the page.'

One Writer's Beginnings is a beautifully written celebration of stories, both Welty's own and those that filled her girlhood. I was immediately drawn in, transported to the Deep South in the early twentieth century. This is a joyous account, full of depth and insight. Welty's voice is utterly charming and sometimes quite profound. I will conclude this review with one of the most wonderful quotes from the book: 'The memory is a living thing - it too is in transit. But during the moment, all that is remembered comes together and lives - the old and the young, the past and the present, the living and the dead.'