Writing about a life that is "beyond another's assumption of who someone is" gives a reader a chance to understand what cannot be seen with one's own eyes. It enlarges our world, can build empathy, understanding. Here is how we are the same, here is how we differ and "Oh so that's how that happens." It humanizes us to care about another's perceptions, to wonder how something happens, changes life into a tragedy or a triumph. Will investigate Claire Messud, Ruth Franklin and other authors mentioned here and in comments.
5
As a longtime fan of Ms. Messud's work, I appreciated the article and look forward to reading her new novel. I am shocked by the vitriol expressed by some of the commenters. A dissenting viewpoint is one thing. Unwarranted cruelty is another, and completely unnecessary.
16
I've only read one of Claire Messud's books—"The Woman Upstairs "—and I was unimpressed.
3
Wonderful and pointed piece--thanks to both Messud and Franklin for shedding much needed light on the double standards for fiction by women and every other aspect of women's lives.
3
I'm an artist. Messud's book about an artist, "The woman Upstairs," read completely false. A hackneyed, clichéd idea of an artist. It was incredibly annoying.
4
Well, funny thing. Jane Austen and the Bronte sisters certainly wrote about "difficult women," but ones with a lot more vital energy and a heck of a lot less navel-gazing than our current crop of celebrated female authors.
Probably one of the best portrayals of a "difficult woman" I've read recently was in Hilary Mantel's "Bring Up the Bodies." Made you really understand at least some of what drove both Katherine of Aragon and Anne Boleyn.
Maybe it's me. But novels built around women who chew their own guts until nothing is left but seething malignancy aren't what I'd call worth spending a heck of a lot of time with.
Powerlessness and the destruction of dreams isn't exclusive to women. Men without power and with the culturally-imposed need to provide not just for themselves but for families--including parents, siblings, wives and children--have experienced every bit as much bitterness and suffering as the sort of protagonists described here.
The world isn't divided into male and female so much as it is into the freely independent and the constricted and restricted--whether by the voluntary assumption of burdens, or otherwise.
The best writers have always recognized that.
Probably one of the best portrayals of a "difficult woman" I've read recently was in Hilary Mantel's "Bring Up the Bodies." Made you really understand at least some of what drove both Katherine of Aragon and Anne Boleyn.
Maybe it's me. But novels built around women who chew their own guts until nothing is left but seething malignancy aren't what I'd call worth spending a heck of a lot of time with.
Powerlessness and the destruction of dreams isn't exclusive to women. Men without power and with the culturally-imposed need to provide not just for themselves but for families--including parents, siblings, wives and children--have experienced every bit as much bitterness and suffering as the sort of protagonists described here.
The world isn't divided into male and female so much as it is into the freely independent and the constricted and restricted--whether by the voluntary assumption of burdens, or otherwise.
The best writers have always recognized that.
9
Before this beautiful article I didn't know the subject , nor the writer. Now I'm grateful to know both. As a woman writer, Ms. Messyd fierce determination to write reminded me of why I do the same. It is as essential to us as air.
4
a favorite author of mine; thanks for this!
9
Anger is so much better than depression - the former leads to action and change; the latter to paralysis and stasis. Kudos to Claire Messud, who in her writing addresses and "dramatizes" the feeling of anger in women. When I got married to a young doctor, I was often asked if I was going to "help him in the office" - even though I had my own academic career. I told everybody off who harbored such stupid assumptions. It felt good.
But even more to the point, Messud's writing is truly excellent.
But even more to the point, Messud's writing is truly excellent.
7
My compliments to Ruth Franklin and of course to Claire. I feel as if I've had a long visit with Claire and her family, which is precious because I'm an old friend of her parents and always interested in their daughters' fascinating lives and accomplishments. I hope it brings more readers to Claire's books. I'm already forwarding it to my "reader friends". Thank you Ruth and Claire and NYT, and may "The Burning Girl" be a great success on all fronts.
16
One of my all time favorite authors, thank you for this article.
12
Does no one else find it odd that the author describes Messud as "unprepossessing," as if it means the same as "unremarkable" or "unassuming," which would make sense. "Unprepossessing" means "unattractive," "unappealing," "not creating a favorable impression," and the like.
Does the NYT no longer have editors with a broad working vocabulary?
Does the NYT no longer have editors with a broad working vocabulary?
48
I've always understood 'unprepossessing' to mean the person doesn't seem to feel important -- a notably positive trait, especially for a successful author.
7
I thought "unprepossessing" exactly the right word, which I think doesn't mean unattractive, but rather blending into the background. From the photo, Claire Messud is rather conspicuously plain. I say conspicuously because the article is portrait of an artist who is conspicuously brilliantly enough to be able to not blend in if she chooses. Ruth Franklin wrote a lovely article,which will send me to the bookshelves to read Messud.
5
Bee and Barbara B., I double-checked 5 dictionaries. All say that it means to convey an unfavorable impression. Two say "to convey an unfavorable or neutral first impression" or "not interesting, attractive, or impressive," which is closer to your meanings, but all of them use the term "unfavorable" as the first synonym. I suppose it's iffy, but I still think it a poor choice.
5
As a young woman long, long ago in Noo Yawk, I regularly read the NY Times book reviews, and I always eagerly bought the paperback editions of all those bright young women authors making a big splash. "Cause I had dreams of being a writer someday, myself, and I wanted to learn from those who'd gotten there ahead of me.
Unfortunately, since I'm not in the least a fan of navel-gazing in fiction, I found they had nothing to teach me.
So I let life do that instead. It did me no harm and a great deal of good to start writing seriously once my child was grown and away at college.
Of course, with only online short story credits to my name, I'm not making any splashes in the bodies of water the sophisticated crowd would think of any value at all.
But I was grateful to God to have discovered that being a mother was the most meaningful and rewarding experience that life could bless me with, and if my time for literary notability has passed--gee, I ain't cryin' over it. I'll be sure to write in and tell ya, if that changes on my deathbed...
Unfortunately, since I'm not in the least a fan of navel-gazing in fiction, I found they had nothing to teach me.
So I let life do that instead. It did me no harm and a great deal of good to start writing seriously once my child was grown and away at college.
Of course, with only online short story credits to my name, I'm not making any splashes in the bodies of water the sophisticated crowd would think of any value at all.
But I was grateful to God to have discovered that being a mother was the most meaningful and rewarding experience that life could bless me with, and if my time for literary notability has passed--gee, I ain't cryin' over it. I'll be sure to write in and tell ya, if that changes on my deathbed...
25
The fact that you keep leaving lengthy comment after lengthy comment here attempting to demonstrate your superiority to an actual published author merely demonstrates your transparent frustration and envy. Please stop.
14
Larry D: I'm published too. And my stuff is freely available to anyone with an internet connection, and I'm grateful and honored to have received the regard of strangers, on many continents.
1
Claire Messud came to my attention when "The Last Life" appeared in 1999. An excellent, memorable novel.
In the time since, every few years, I begin to wonder, What's she up to now? How much longer will we have to wait for her next book?
Thank you for this excellent article.
In the time since, every few years, I begin to wonder, What's she up to now? How much longer will we have to wait for her next book?
Thank you for this excellent article.
28
I just love the "difficult women" trope, so retro, so Mad Men era. Wonder if any of the critics then or now have thought to apply "yet another tale of mental blather from a ' difficult man'." Anybody remember Portnoy?
16
I bought "The Woman Upstairs" awhile back and never read it until last year. So glad I did. A very unique, engaging, well-written book with an ending that slapped me in the face. Enjoyed this article.
17
If you love the books of Claire Messud--and I do--drop everything and read Margaret Drabble! Start with Seven Sisters and The Peppered Moth, preparing yourself for The Dark Flood Rises, her newest, and the best novel of the year. Drabble's women are angry too, but also wry, witty, and possessed of the kind of self-knowledge that any reader, male or female, should aspire to. Thanks for this great interview.
34
I agree; Margaret Drabble is one of the greatest living novelists, and too little known in America.
5
Messud is a thoroughly mediocre writer whose prose is flat and tedious. I don't care what her portrayal of women is like
8
I disliked every character in "The Emperor's Children" and it's use of the 9/11 tragedy to move the plot forward to the point that I will not read Ms. Messud's other books. .
3
From the excerpts given here, I figure my own previous impressions of what gets produced by those who teach our impressionable young people to write continues to be vindicated...
3
Many readers overlook the nature of "The Emperor's Children." It may seem a mess of a novel.
Having read it when it came out, it stands as a meticulously observed novel of mass trauma. There are few others.
Having read it when it came out, it stands as a meticulously observed novel of mass trauma. There are few others.
10
Shiipped off to boarding school so they'd have stability--after their mother seems to have spent a lifetime not being satisfied anywhere--
The worst summer of my life was when my best childcare option was leaving my kid with his grandma during the week, picking him up on Friday evenings and returning him on Sundays.
My mother and I lived only nine miles apart, and it would have been a 20-minute drive. But I'm not a driver, and my commute from Queens to Manhattan and back to Queens, first to Mom's and then to my place, might as well have been from NY to DC, or whatever.
Those Sunday nights to Fridays were the loneliest, most miserable possible to imagine. There's no sound as empty as one's living room as one says goodnight to one's child over the phone.
I was amazed how easy I managed to survive my kid's going away to college--maybe because I made sure to be there for him every moment I could, when he was still home with me. I quit full-time work when he entered middle school--at the ultimate cost of my marriage--so I'd be there for him when he wanted to talk--because kids don't tell you anything important over the dinner table.
I hate that word "privilege." But God Almighty, Ms. Messud and her mother just don't seem to know how utterly privileged their lives have been, compared to most of the rest of us.
But that's OK. I'll never be a literary threat to her, with my little short stories well-received online. But I know my writing life was worth waiting for.
The worst summer of my life was when my best childcare option was leaving my kid with his grandma during the week, picking him up on Friday evenings and returning him on Sundays.
My mother and I lived only nine miles apart, and it would have been a 20-minute drive. But I'm not a driver, and my commute from Queens to Manhattan and back to Queens, first to Mom's and then to my place, might as well have been from NY to DC, or whatever.
Those Sunday nights to Fridays were the loneliest, most miserable possible to imagine. There's no sound as empty as one's living room as one says goodnight to one's child over the phone.
I was amazed how easy I managed to survive my kid's going away to college--maybe because I made sure to be there for him every moment I could, when he was still home with me. I quit full-time work when he entered middle school--at the ultimate cost of my marriage--so I'd be there for him when he wanted to talk--because kids don't tell you anything important over the dinner table.
I hate that word "privilege." But God Almighty, Ms. Messud and her mother just don't seem to know how utterly privileged their lives have been, compared to most of the rest of us.
But that's OK. I'll never be a literary threat to her, with my little short stories well-received online. But I know my writing life was worth waiting for.
12
Motherhood is a privilege. And you are correct in saying that having the financial stability to be home with your child is a priviledge. It is a shame that some women reach the end of their lives feeling like raising children is only a so-so achievement.
9
‘‘There’s so much of life to get through after you realize that none of your dreams will come true.’’
That is just as true of men as of women.
That is just as true of men as of women.
50
I am reminded of my favorite family doctor, who confided to me that he never really wanted to be a family doctor. He did it to meet family obligations, to support others. He felt his dreams had passed him by. I've known others, but that is the one that hit me first to realize it.
18
But there have been so many books about that-- in fact, the majority of serious published fiction. One that comes to mind is Thomas Mann's Magic Mountain.
1
Mother was in dementia, you say? Some part of the mentition was sharp as a tack. And writer above is spot on.
‘‘You’re only ever understood in parts,’’ she said. ‘‘I’m a different person in French. I’m a different person in New York. I’m a different person in Canada.’’
Not only are people understood differently, they actually are different.
In one place and culture they think and act differently than they would in another.
Even in the same place, they will think different thoughts depending on which language they are using, the cultural difference built right into the words.
Not only are people understood differently, they actually are different.
In one place and culture they think and act differently than they would in another.
Even in the same place, they will think different thoughts depending on which language they are using, the cultural difference built right into the words.
23
Thank you for this wonderful article. I have often wondered about the author of _The Emperor's Children_ and _The Woman Upstairs_. What a fantastic portrait. Claire Messud and Tessa Hadley = two most underrated woman authors writing in English today about women in such stunningly forceful ways but without an obvious show of force. I leave out Alice Munro because she's not underrated.
9
Just downloaded The Woman Upstairs and am looking forward to reading Katherine Mansfield, Djuna Barnes, Elizabeth Bowen, and Jean Rhys as well. Will be borrowing Elsie Piddock from the library to read to my daughters. Thank you Claire Messud and Ruth Franklin.
13
Just ordered two, pre-ordered one. Please do keep sharing work like her....on you front page, please. Thank you!
14
Good writing about a good writer.
20
Definitely. I have never read Messud but I shall do so now.
2
I plan to read her books. A very well written, deeply perceptive article.
11
She writes books about women. I guess this means they are different from men in important ways. The guy who works at Google and also writes about the differences gets fired. Something doesn't seem quite right here. Either they are different or they are not.
8
Of course men and women and different --and far more similar than not -- but the differences being described by talented writers and the screed of the gentleman at Google aren't even in the same universe. One celebrates a common humanity with different threads of story, conflict and character; the challenges, too, may vary as they do in life; the other demeans one gender without a shred of evidence to support anything other than social and workplace oppression.
11
I don't understand why the Times allows comments as vacuous as yours through. You have contributed nothing at all to discussion besides a vague sense that "something doesn't seem quite right." You don't appear to be capable of or willing to articulate this sense you have besides muttering something about gender.
22
Consider growing up and not playing the victim - or justifying sexism. It's a man's world still - to everyone's impoverishment -- and that it's often a mad, destructive, and even civilization-ending threat-filled world is not a coincidence! And it would be a better place if everyone was seen, appreciated, encouraged, and assisted in the talents, love and potential they have.
22
Balzac approves.
5
I am off to the bookstore to buy some Messaud -- thank you for this interview! The description of some of her writing in the interview made me think of Barbara Pym's novels -- it will be interesting to read them in person and find out if there are any echoes there!
12
No surprise that Claire's mother wrote beautifully and was a devoted fan of Barbara Pym.
4
Barbara Pym is rolling over in her grave. I read The Woman Upstairs - tedious and mediocre. Re-read some Pym instead.
1
What is this nonsense about childrearing interfering with and crushing women's interior lives?
Please, for God's sake, don't have kids if you see motherhood as having your true self drowned in playdates and the necessity for putting some food in front of your family at reasonable intervals.
I thought there was nothing so interesting in the universe as learning about the marvelous new being I was blessed to have brought into the world. That never stopped.
And that was despite having had to work up to my due date; to return to work after my three-months' leave; being always frantic about money because I had a lunatic spouse; discovering with amazement that one could still remain alive and functioning despite being so tired I wanted, sometimes, to just pop my eyeballs into a glass of icewater for five minutes or so; having my heart sink if my child was ill because my wretched bosses never got their own work done on time so I might have a little breathing room.
Now, with my child an adult and proving that every hard moment for me was repaid in infinite coin of joy and pride, I have had the time to discover my own gifts as a writer, and to have received the regard of strangers who find my voice worth hearing. I may be of mature years (I had my child late), but I ain't shriveled, and what my experiences have brought to my writing was well worth waiting for.
I'm glad Ms. Messud has been able to survive what she seems to regard the mundanity of parenthood.
Please, for God's sake, don't have kids if you see motherhood as having your true self drowned in playdates and the necessity for putting some food in front of your family at reasonable intervals.
I thought there was nothing so interesting in the universe as learning about the marvelous new being I was blessed to have brought into the world. That never stopped.
And that was despite having had to work up to my due date; to return to work after my three-months' leave; being always frantic about money because I had a lunatic spouse; discovering with amazement that one could still remain alive and functioning despite being so tired I wanted, sometimes, to just pop my eyeballs into a glass of icewater for five minutes or so; having my heart sink if my child was ill because my wretched bosses never got their own work done on time so I might have a little breathing room.
Now, with my child an adult and proving that every hard moment for me was repaid in infinite coin of joy and pride, I have had the time to discover my own gifts as a writer, and to have received the regard of strangers who find my voice worth hearing. I may be of mature years (I had my child late), but I ain't shriveled, and what my experiences have brought to my writing was well worth waiting for.
I'm glad Ms. Messud has been able to survive what she seems to regard the mundanity of parenthood.
25
What a cynical reading of what Ms. Messud expressed about parenting. Honestly, your comment comes across as primarily an expression of how awesome and even supperior to Ms. Messud you are, even if not as successful a writer as she is.
46
Jane: Why, yes, in fact--with grateful joy, that is exactly how I feel.
2
Actually, you come off as envious and angry.
14
I read The Emperor's Children, which I loved. I did not like The Woman Upstairs, but Messud is an incisive, elegant writer. But speaking of writers who can articulate women's silent anger, why no mention of the terrific Anita Brookner?
25
I just stumbled upon Anita Brookner this past spring. Her writing is breathtaking.
8
The very fact that her characters are called "difficult women" in 2017 is exactly why we need more depictions of women, fictional or otherwise.
115
Excellent article. I've added Claire's works to my "books to read" list.
8
Excellent article. Hardly narcissistic I'd add, as Third Wave Feminism is still alive and well and much needed. While Messud may be a produce of her time and circumstance, as every writer is, she is exceptional for having channeled her rage in such finely calibrated prose. The fact that Messud illuminates female subjectivity in relation to other objects besides men is a strength and perhaps what drives some readers to distraction.
Yes women are complex, and so are men, but the difference is that women's complexity has so often been described in relation to their men, while men's complexity is described in relation to their whales, their wars, their hunts, and so much else besides their women.
it is high time we celebrated an author like Messud. Kudos to the NYTimes for putting this profile on its Sunday magazine cover.
Yes women are complex, and so are men, but the difference is that women's complexity has so often been described in relation to their men, while men's complexity is described in relation to their whales, their wars, their hunts, and so much else besides their women.
it is high time we celebrated an author like Messud. Kudos to the NYTimes for putting this profile on its Sunday magazine cover.
134
I've been a fan of Claire Messud's for a long time. It has always surprised me that she is not more well known, not the recipient of more book prizes. Her characters are fully fleshed people who have these interior lives that fascinate.
Brava for such a fascinating portrait of her.
Brava for such a fascinating portrait of her.
37
I believe it was Edmund Burke who said something like "Faith is the belief that someone, somewhere isn't stupid." Both Ms. Franklin and Ms. Messud sent my faith into a strong uptick today.
33
Arundhati Roy's protagonista Anjum ("The Ministry of Utmost Happiness", 2017): No there's a "difficult woman" for our age who actually has real problems.
3
Thank you for this article. I plan to read her books. Most interesting is the way I lost my best friend. We spoke every morning. One morning, she said, "I have a problem with our relationship." It went downhill from there. Although we tried, we never again were able to communicate and the event turned into a hate campaign. I moved to Tucson! Looking back, the situation turned out to be my best move. I wrote a column for the Arizona Star, I wrote several books and I facilitated a Writers' Workshop at the Oro Valley Library for five years, helping many students self-publish books. At the time though, I was heartbroken.
21
Her integrity shines through in every single novel she has written. It's what America needs right now, integrity. Looking forward to The Burning Girl.
12
Claire Massoud should be declared an international treasure. Her stories of women reach to the real core of our being- to the needs that burn in spite of society and familial success in damping them down- in her stories embers become flames passed on to the daughters and friends who flare into life on her pages so we can share the flame that burns them.
23
"The Emperor's Children" - ah! C'est parfait!
1
My mother was one of those angry women. She went to a 2-year college, but didn't study something she loved and worked for only a short time before marrying and having a family. She had wanted to write, but had to put it off until we were all grown and gone. By that time, she hadn't developed her skills, nor the discipline and confidence needed, so although she published a few very short pieces in local papers, that was it. I'm still ashamed of myself that when she gave me some short stories to show to the publishing company where I worked, I gave up after one rejection, not taking her terribly seriously. I wish I'd shown more faith in her.
She was often angry and depressed, although she could also be tremendous fun, and she read constantly (thereby raising three children who read a lot). Her talents for writing, for leadership (which unfortunately too often lapsed into alternating passivity and bossiness), for so many things never developed very far. Just before she died, she said, "It's been a nice life," but there was wistfulness in her voice.
All to say -- I'm always glad to see someone taking on this topic. I look forward to reading Claire Messud.
She was often angry and depressed, although she could also be tremendous fun, and she read constantly (thereby raising three children who read a lot). Her talents for writing, for leadership (which unfortunately too often lapsed into alternating passivity and bossiness), for so many things never developed very far. Just before she died, she said, "It's been a nice life," but there was wistfulness in her voice.
All to say -- I'm always glad to see someone taking on this topic. I look forward to reading Claire Messud.
95
These women (here your mom and Claire Messud) need to write, express themselves and if anyone is willing to listen or even read it (after paying for a book) even better.
The article is t-o-o long and descriptions of details, including the setting where Ruth Franklin happened to interview Messud, are so predictable, so freshmen college creative writing.
The article and Ms. Messud work seem to confirm that - in general - women and men are different, including different taste and interpretation of the world. And that anger from not fulfilling their "dreams", might that be lawyering or writing a best selling romantic novel? Just few among endless list of items women seem to perceive as reasons for them not only not content but to feel discriminated and oppressed.
The article is t-o-o long and descriptions of details, including the setting where Ruth Franklin happened to interview Messud, are so predictable, so freshmen college creative writing.
The article and Ms. Messud work seem to confirm that - in general - women and men are different, including different taste and interpretation of the world. And that anger from not fulfilling their "dreams", might that be lawyering or writing a best selling romantic novel? Just few among endless list of items women seem to perceive as reasons for them not only not content but to feel discriminated and oppressed.
6
So many women were kept in the box of a household, all their choices proscribed to domestic necessities. No more!
4
Obviously,, REEC, you have never read Claire Messud, and you missed the whole point of the article. There is so much depth to her writing--far beyond your dismissive missive on not only Ms. Messud, but also the author of the article. Read one of Messud's books and maybe you will understand.
9
Beautifully written! This highly recommended article is validating for women, especially women artists/writers who can find energy in plumbing what are 'unacceptable' , and therefore often repressed, emotions. Franklin's writing is inspirational, full of keen observations, truth and wisdom. I plan to read more Messud, and keep my eye open for more of Franklin's writing! Another fine piece of journalism from the NYTimes which I plan to share with women artists in my life, starting with my daughter.
35
Agreed on all counts. Wonderful!
4
The appellation "complicated woman" must be retired. Women. like men, are humans, and thus are complicated. The interior complexity of men is no more rich or nuanced or tortured or worthy of artistic mining than the interior complexity of women. Patriarchy manifests in these everyday ways.
61
Well, goodness...what can one say after reading an article likes this (the article was wonderful)?... except "I need to copy down some titles, go online (sorry, but this is what I do), and buy at least three of these books by this woman-I've-never-heard-of.
It's nice/invigorating, at my age (57), to read an article which so forcefully (and enjoyable) demonstrates that I need to keep learning, and that there are more than plenty of good books out there that I haven't known existed
Thanks to the author of this article.
Sincerely,
David Terry
Hillsborough, NC
It's nice/invigorating, at my age (57), to read an article which so forcefully (and enjoyable) demonstrates that I need to keep learning, and that there are more than plenty of good books out there that I haven't known existed
Thanks to the author of this article.
Sincerely,
David Terry
Hillsborough, NC
95
Consider shopping at the indie bookstores, now online -- not the few megastores. Support independent bookstores
14
Good advice; yet I can't read the small type in most traditional books, so need electronic books to actually read. Eyes get old, and I am grateful for my Kindle . . .
1
Elsie Piddock joins Pipi Longstocking as my childhood hero - even though my childhood is long behind me. Messaud's message to all women is: Don't measure your life in what you don't have, measure it in what you want and then make it happen. Even if it is only in your imagination.
18
Wonderfully stated! I too am going to hunt for Elsie Piddock to join the Pippi collection which my kids have enjoyed almost as much as I have. Some books outlast the petty dramas of their era and I think Messud's writing will do that, despite the criticism of Emperor's Children (only one of her many books)...
1
Hooray still skipping!
8
Thank you, Claire Messud, for your clarity of vision. To make anything creatively, to make room in a woman's life to make anything more than a meal for others, can be challenging and demoralizing.
I think the best thing a mother can do for a daughter is to teach her to compartmentalize the competing demands of work and family; doing their utmost best at both, but also, helping them to understand that children want and need to see their mothers develop themselves personally into fulfilled individuals. To paraphrase: Every happy woman is happy in her own way, but every unhappy woman sacrificed her self hood on trying to thrive on a dim, attenuated heat proffered by another; the borrowed light of motherhood, or marriage. Women who are fully alive must make our own fires.
Im looking forward to your new book. I can feel the warm glow from here.
I think the best thing a mother can do for a daughter is to teach her to compartmentalize the competing demands of work and family; doing their utmost best at both, but also, helping them to understand that children want and need to see their mothers develop themselves personally into fulfilled individuals. To paraphrase: Every happy woman is happy in her own way, but every unhappy woman sacrificed her self hood on trying to thrive on a dim, attenuated heat proffered by another; the borrowed light of motherhood, or marriage. Women who are fully alive must make our own fires.
Im looking forward to your new book. I can feel the warm glow from here.
40
Loved this profile, very timely and relevant. Here's to appetite and anger! [EXPLETIVE] the rest!
40
Thank you for today's inspiration, Claire Messud. A voice for women and a voice for men, as well, raging against anonymity of one's talents and being grist in the mill of every day. Skip on, Elsie Piddock!
11
Excellent article.
8
"As the First World turns."
5
Can we retire this tired trope? Yes, Ms.Messud's characters have problems that pale in contrast to those who have to struggle to merely survive. That doesn't mean that they are not problems. Shall we all don sackcloth and ashes?
30
Very helpful the story of Massud's daughter Livia and the closed circle of friends, am going to share it with my 16-year old daughter. I appreciate the interpretation that it's a completely normal life-event. I know it'll help me as a parent take some of the anger of these episodes.
16
This article does not go into any detail about Ms. Messud's teaching career, aside from mentioning that she teaches fiction writing at Harvard.
I was fortunate enough to have been a student in one of her (I believe) first classes, at Johns Hopkins in Washington d.c., back in 1999, just as The Last Life was coming out and she was preparing for the book tour.
I thought she was a great writing teacher, one who didn't impose her vision on her students but rather helped us to go deeper, wider, broader into our own work.
One of her characteristic questions has stayed with me for nearly 20 years ... "I can't wait to read ... What happens NEXT??"
Lovely writer, wonderful teacher.
I was fortunate enough to have been a student in one of her (I believe) first classes, at Johns Hopkins in Washington d.c., back in 1999, just as The Last Life was coming out and she was preparing for the book tour.
I thought she was a great writing teacher, one who didn't impose her vision on her students but rather helped us to go deeper, wider, broader into our own work.
One of her characteristic questions has stayed with me for nearly 20 years ... "I can't wait to read ... What happens NEXT??"
Lovely writer, wonderful teacher.
69
Thank you for taking me to meet Messud. For that's how I felt after reading your article.
26
A few minutes back, I knew nothing about Messud's writing, now I will be reading it as soon as I get my hands on one of the novels. That understanding that women who reveal a ravenous appetite for life are going to forego approval by (most) men - and many other women - resurgent in 2017, was familiar to Virginia Woolf in 1917. Just might look for "Elsie Piddock" as well.
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Why you (and number of women plus some "really progressive" men still suffer from that view that men or the system prevent you from expressing selves or "revealing ravenous appetite" for anything? Why (almost) everything ends up with victim syndrome complains?
5
Yes, Virginia Woolf!
2
Fascinating article. I read the Woman Upstairs a few years ago and never forgot it. It made me very sad and uncomfortable to think there must be many women who are so unfulfilled they ingratiate themselves into another's life. Messud is an excellent writer and deserves wider aclaim.
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