There is only so much that a writing manual can say; Anne Lamott's new book covers familiar territory. But I like the gimmick: Lamott's husband offers an essay, then Lamott jumps in with her own commentary. So the book is a portrait of a marriage--we get the impression that Neal Allen really understands the weather, the atmosphere, of Anne Lamott, and we get the impression that these two have a lot to discuss, on any given day, at the dinner table. Lamott is obviously the more interesting character. I appreciate the insight into her career; for example, the novel "Rosie" is really three surprising portraits of Anne Lamott (bereaved little girl, quirky mom, flighty neighbor). It was also intriguing to read that Lamott's father--the central subject of "Hard Laughter"--had some harsh words about the "Hard Laughter" manuscript, i.e., "Stop showing off." A good writing manual will quote Charles Dickens--specifically this passage, from ...
St. Patrick drove the snakes out of Ireland. Once, in his life, he was aided by baying hounds; the sound of the hounds ensured that a particular ship captain would reverse his course and find room for Patrick's safe passage on the sea. Finally, for six years, Patrick served as a shepherd. My own family had an "animal weekend" -- my daughter hopped like a frog to commemorate one of the plagues that waged war with Pharoah. We saw impressive works of taxidermy at New Jersey's Great Swamp -- my son wondered aloud if these were living creatures. And, for a full hour, one of us became a talking unicorn. St. Patrick's Day is the start of spring, additionally -- and, on Sunday, I (at long last) saw a crocus. In my former, childless life, I didn't see the change in seasons as a major event...but anyone with childcare duties knows that the return of warm weather is a gift. Thank God.