There is something in Ralph Waldo Emerson’s life and work that speaks directly to the troubled heart. Certainly he had troubles enough of his own, including the early deaths of a beloved wife and an infant son. Yet in resisting despair he did not spare himself. His unflinching candor can startle, yet consoles and even invigorates. In the essay “Experience,” one of his grandest achievements, he mentions, almost in passing, the loss of Waldo junior, who died in 1842 at the age of five. “In the death of my son, now more than two years ago, I seem to have lost a beautiful estate,—no more.” As James Marcus, who hints at pains and losses in his own life, observes in
Book Post will bring s lot of interesting books your way -- I used to know the editor at the NYReview of Books --
I of course remember you well from the old days Tom! So happy to have you reading and hope we might have something from you one of these days!
A delight to read.
Thank you for reading and being here!