“If only she had been content to remain what she was when he found her: a bird fluttering on a terrace that a man might pick up and warm in his bosom, a bird that would nestle tamely, grateful for any warmth it might come by, and not be always turning its fierce golden eye… Continue reading On Discontent
1981 Review of Caroline Gordon’s COLLECTED STORIES
"It is a joy to read or reread the stories in this collection, observing the precepts of the teacher coming to life in her work. Her own literary heritage was impressive. She was private secretary to Ford Madox Ford who knew Henry James who knew Turgenev who knew Flaubert. The influence is apparent but not… Continue reading 1981 Review of Caroline Gordon’s COLLECTED STORIES
Caroline Gordon’s Credo
“Let me sum up my own Credo, in the hope that I can make what I am trying to say clear. A novel, any novel, in the first place, must be about love. There is no other subject.” —Caroline Gordon to Walker Percy, undated letter [January, 1952]
Flannery and Gretchen (II)
“I've tried to explain why this passage has such power for me, but I'm not confident that I actually understand why these lines have haunted me for so long.” —Gretchen Rubin, “What Some Folks Would Do (From Flannery O’Connor)”
O’Connor’s “Living with a Peacock” (1961)
"For a chicken that grows up to have such exceptional good looks," O'Connor writes, "the pea cock starts life with an inauspicious appearance. The peabiddy is the color of those large objectionable moths that flutter about light bulbs on summer nights. Its only distinguished features are its eyes, a luminous gray, and a brown crest… Continue reading O’Connor’s “Living with a Peacock” (1961)
Worth Listening To: ‘About South’ podcast
Recommended: take a listen to About South, a podcast hosted by Gina Caison. “Each week,” Caison says, “we talk to the folks who create, curate, and critique southern cultures. Ultimately we ask three questions: What is the South? Is it real? And what’s so special about it?” Great guests, intelligent conversation, and a wonderful host.
Join the Flannery O’Connor Society
Meet like-minded O'Connor readers and scholars, receive updates on the latest news in the O'Connor world, and participate in conferences that celebrate FOC. Now over 400 members strong, the Society offers countless resources; membership is $20 annually. The latest newsletter contains information on: How Fordham University has received a $450,000 grant, distributed in $50,000 installments… Continue reading Join the Flannery O’Connor Society
