From: Maia Cheli-Colando <maia>
Date: Thu, 25 May 2006 13:06:33 -0700

Thanks, Megan, I've also been wondering about that distinction. My daughter nailed it for me with her emphasis that she loves a score of novels, but that they haven't been life-changing for her. Even the events of Jane Eyre are within her compass, or her compassion... but living with one bucket of water per household per day, that boggles and stimulates her young mind. It is truly different than what she has seen and been, here in soggy, northern coastal California.

Little House had a life-changing impact on me too, but it is a very ambiguous blessing. I read those books nearly into dust myself... and it is hard, now, to work them through. (I shall have to read that Dorris essay -- thanks!)

We have been eager here to talk about the books that changed us for the better or simply enriched our lives. I'm curious, what about the books that wounded us? /Flowers in the Attic/ was traumatic for me, as was what Poe I read, /The Lottery/, and that rocking-horse-in-the-attic story. They didn't just frighten me and let go; these stories haunted me for years. Likewise, much of the Bible had a horrendous impact on my self-definition, as a girl becoming woman. That was inarguably life-changing.

Maia

Megan Lambert wrote:
> ... The Little House books had a tremendous impact on me (life changing? I don't know...I've been struggling with the distinction between life changing and life enriching in this discussion)
Received on Thu 25 May 2006 03:06:33 PM CDT