The title grabbed me and then I heard Anna Quindlen on NPR
talking about her memoir. I
related to her feelings on the Catholic Church’s hierarchy and how they are
leading us Catholics in the wrong direction and not ruling by example. She also feels, as a woman that we are
disenfranchised from the Church. Men and only men run it. I loved this part of the book. She eloquently lays it on the
line.
As the title suggests, she is celebrating her age (She is in
her 50’s) and the wisdom that comes with it. I think the disconnect I felt with the rest of the book has
to do with her being very retrospective (isn’t that what a memoir is suppose to
be?) and analyzing herself at different ages and times of her life. I don’t think I was unaware of myself
as a young person and have finally found myself now. I don’t think I will every
fully find myself which is a good thing.
I’m not that deep. This
doesn’t sound flattering. Quindlen is articulate in explaining myself. I am
not. I am laughing at
this.
Quindlen is a good writer. I’m sure 80% of the women (and probably men too) in their
40’s and 50’s can fully relate to what she is writing about. She is solid. At the end of the book she writes, “sometimes a single
moment can mark the dividing line between who you are and who you never wanted
to be.” She was referring to an
elderly friend who mentioned that once you break a hip when you’re older,
you’re finished. This has a
twofold meaning. Sometimes the
moment can be out of your control, such as breaking a hip and confining a
vibrant person to a home. It can
also be a bad choice, a betrayal or saying something you don’t mean, but it
comes out anyway. Any of these
things can change the course of someone’s life and possibly define it.
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| Brooklyn Blackout |
