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East Coast Diaries

 I spent a part of my weekend rereading Elinor Lipman's essays, and there aren't enough words for how much I love this work. 


Lipman is reliably unpretentious; often, she has written for "Good Housekeeping." She has strong feelings about Carrie Bradshaw. She comments on ketchup--and on the wisdom of mixing ketchup with your brisket. At the same time, she is contrarian in a sneaky way; she is in favor of keeping (and examining) various grudges, looking closely, in an unguarded manner, at moments of personal failure. I feel better after I've read a few pages by Elinor Lipman--what a gift she has.

A standout among her essays is an observation about the Corner Bookstore, on the Upper East Side. Lipman is trying to recall why she started watching "Sex and the City" on HBO. It's because of the Corner Bookstore. "Charlotte" is living near 92nd and Madison--this is mid-series. At the same time, Lipman is walking up Madison to give a reading. She sees a massive crowd--a line forming somewhere near Sarabeth's. Could this be a mob of readers--has all of Park Avenue fallen in love with the novels of Elinor Lipman?

In fact, no. The mob has gathered to catch a glimpse of Sarah Jessica Parker as she strolls past a column of microphones and video cameras. Fair enough. Lipman completes her (lightly attended) public appearance--then goes home to her TV.

I also enjoy the story in which Lipman mentions to a neighbor that her son is applying to Columbia. The neighbor snorts and says, "Good luck with THAT." Lipman, marinating in rage, recalls this conversation when her son wins admission to Columbia. She finds an excuse to speak with the neighbor--and lightly mentions the big fat Ivy League envelope that recently arrived in the mail. The neighbor offers breezy congratulations--and Lipman has an epiphany. "People sometimes make dumb remarks, and these remarks aren't always LOADED. And I am not the center of anyone's universe." A sensible conclusion--and it's something worth restating.

I do not think Lipman is in line for a Pulitzer Prize--but perhaps this is something in her favor. Reading should be a pleasure. Lipman is delightful...page after page after page.
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