RE: JCO: Journals of JCO

Hi Cyrano,

I've just begun reading the Journals. They are a fascinating peek into JCO's mind as she was writing some of my favorite works. I haven't read enough to comment more than that, but I'm looking forward to a discussion as I read more.

Jane

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From: Cyranomish@aol.com
Date: Wed, 28 Nov 2007 11:49:57 -0500
Subject: Re: JCO: Journals of JCO
To: jward1108@hotmail.com; gjcouzens@btinternet.com; Petrapinto@aol.com; erickarl78@hotmail.com; faliol@yahoo.com; bigbowtai@hotmail.com; rlpeacock6@hotmail.com; rejment@broadband.net; NotEnoughKittens@aol.com; Cyranomish@aol.com

Hi, Eric & Jane.  The Journals were fun to read.  Who all's reading them now?  I'd love to get a little discussion going. Meanwhile, I've tracking down some of JCO's 1970s works, now that I know something about their backgrounds.  I'm rereading "All the Good People I Left Behind" with great nostalgia for the Midwest in the turbulent 70s.  If anybody knows where I can buy a copy, please let me know. 

Best,

Cyrano

 

In a message dated 11/28/2007 11:03:53 A.M. Eastern Standard Time, jward1108@hotmail.com writes:

The video of Ms Oates at the National Book Festival is just great. Her sense of humor is enjoyable.  She seemed to be enjoying herself and having fun with the audience.

Jane

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From: erickarl78@hotmail.com
To: jco@usfca.edu
Subject: JCO: Journals of JCO and 'At the National Book Festival Video' on Celestial Timepiece site
Date: Tue, 6 Nov 2007 12:10:55 -0500

Hello
 
First, I'd like to thank Randy for posting the link to the wonderful video At the National Book Festival on the site. I just watched it and it was a pleasure to see JCO in such a light-hearted, talkative mood when she was on stage discussing The Gravedigger's Daughter and fielding questions about her other work. I'd encourage everyone to take a look at it if you haven't already.
 
I've been reading through the recently published Journals over the past couple of weeks. What a mesmerizing, insightful read! Surely when considering the inevitable question of "How do you write so much?" this collection of journal extracts from only ten years gives an honest and complex answer. At times, JCO even asks herself how she produces so much and seems in awe of all the publications she sees appearing. It reveals how powerfully committed and focused she is, driven by rather existential questions of existence and the meaning of art.
 
I've been doing some travelling recently, long train rides with screaming children sat across from me. I've also suffered from a bad cold which has caused fits of insomina, long sleepless muddy-headed nights. Yet every time I've opened the Journals I become completely detached from all these insignificant distractions and am able to fully immerse myself in the powerful philosophical musings of JCO's daily life. What a treasure! Surely an invaluable resource for any writer or bookworm. And how eagerly I hope the next decade of the journals appears in another volume.
 
Eric
 

 

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