Comments on: Literary Pilgrimages: New England Writers

By: Julie Surface Johnson

Julie Surface Johnson — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 20:14:07 +0000

What a fabulous trip that must have been. Why don’t you plan another one, this time as guide? Sign me up!

By: sally apokedak

sally apokedak — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 00:08:28 +0000

I’ve never gone on literary pilgrimage, but I just wanted to say I went on a Five Little Pepper kick when I was a kid. My mom had several old copies and I loved them, even though the language and the children’s behavior was so outdated. I called my mom Mamsie for years after, and she called me Phronsie. heh heh Good memories.

By: pat jeanne davis

pat jeanne davis — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 20:03:44 +0000

I’m with you Terri for another literary excursion to England. The Lake District is my destination. I’ve been to the homes of Beatrix Potter, William Wordsworth and John Ruskin, all within a short distance of one another. Then on to Stratford-upon-Avon and to the birthplace of William Shakespeare and to the cottage of Ann Hathaway. Now I’m reliving memories that go back twenty years.

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 15:42:31 +0000

I long for New England! I went when I was 12 and it made a lasting impression on me. I am going to print this post out and plan my own literary excusion up North!

Cheers!
Jen

By: Teri D. Smith

Teri D. Smith — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 14:53:19 +0000

You’re getting me pumped up for a literary excursion to England. I know you didn’t write about England here, but that’s my choice destination. Think of the literary pligramage I could make there…Dickens, Shakespeare, C.S. Lewis. Oh boy.

By: Ashley

Ashley — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 14:07:24 +0000

Reading about New England makes me sad! I grew up in RI, but am currently in college down south. . .I’ve always wanted to go to her house, but I never managed to get myself out of state. Maybe next vacation that I fly up there I can check it out. . .

By: Michelle Ule

Michelle Ule — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 13:35:00 +0000

And I’m sure you’re read Jane Langton’s novels often set in Concord, kid and adult books alike.

It’s an interesting point, how much a setting can haunt the reader. When my naval officer husband’s submarines took us to Connecticut for six years, I reveled in finally living in New England–so much of it felt completely familiar because I’d been reading about blueberries and Sal, apple trees and Jo, and the frost of winter my entire life. I adored reliving the books’ location in my own life–albeit 150 years later.

I’m sure I’d do just as well along the shores of Silver Lake.

When we were in Paris last spring, several churches–of all things–had DaVinci Code tours. That makes me feel uneasy . . .

Where are literature and artistic communities flourishing now? Cringe–the Internet? Lancaster, PA? The gothic South?

How about, barring a life of literature professors, poets, and essayists–my own little critique group?