The characters in my novel, Professed, are all English teachers or students, and they read a lot. This post is the first in what will be an occasional series discussing the books they read….
Larry McMurtry, Walter Benjamin at the Dairy Queen: Reflections on Sixty and Beyond
Toward the end of the “Dead Professors” chapter, Clayton texts Camille:
Larry McMurtry, Walter Benjamin at the Dairy Queen: Reflections on Sixty and Beyond
Toward the end of the “Dead Professors” chapter, Clayton texts Camille:
Im reading that mcmurtry book u gave me, he had
a bad heart too!
Clayton has had a heart attack and is sitting around depressed. Camille gives him the book, which, in part, describes McMurtry’s depression following a heart-bypass. Camille’s goal, I guess, is to get Clayton thinking that he’s not alone in his reaction to illness—also maybe to kick him in the ass and get him out of the house, to tell him to quit feeling sorry for his bad-heart having self. Camille's feelings toward Clayton are—complicated. Though it’s also the sort of book Clayton would enjoy—not just the bad heart depression section, but also McMurtry’s use of Benjamin’s essay “The Storyteller” as lens to examine the passing of traditional Texas folk culture.
Walter Benjamin at the Dairy Queen's a good book. Worth checking out.
Walter Benjamin at the Dairy Queen's a good book. Worth checking out.
RSS Feed
