Scan barcode
melindamaureen's review
informative
reflective
slow-paced
3.0
I would like to know more about the process of curating this collection and the choices her son made.
kmg365's review
4.0
Aside from the insight into Shirley's personal life, there are tidbits here about life in the 1930s thru 50s that made me pause and reflect. The liberal use of and references to alcohol consumption, even back when Shirley was 21 and still living with her parents, made me think about the fact that the first letters reproduced here were written just five years after the end of prohibition. Later, there's a reference to someone from the college where Stanley Hyman taught who died after only four days of sickness... from polio, which caused a local panic. I'm thankful that panic over polio was no longer the norm by the time I was born.
Mostly, though, it was the everyday life stuff that got me. While Stanley usually had a job of one sort or another-- with New Yorker magazine, at a college, writing books, etc, Shirley was like one of those plate spinners I used to watch on the Ed Sullivan Show. Shirley wrote stories and novels, hosted huge parties for neighbors and friends from the literary world, raised 4 kids, marveled at the wonder of finally having a washing machine or a working refrigerator, chauffeured the family (Stanley refused to learn how to drive), and read voraciously. There were at least half a dozen references in her letters to Stanley complaining that she was spending too much time on letters, when she should be writing something that would make some money. Not once does Shirley admit to replying “Shut up, Stanley, and incidentally, feel free to make the lion's share of the family income yourself, if you think you can manage it” but I hope she did. Oh, and the last straw concerning Stanley: He did not like cats, or at least would not hold them or let them sit on his lap. Stanley would have hated the internet, I guess.
It was startling how normal the letters were, from such an extraordinary writer. Kids, malfunctioning cars and appliances, moving house, new jobs, new cars. Even the last letter, written only 8 days before she died, was heartrendingly mundane. Her agoraphobia was always described in a matter-of-fact style that never delved into how it made her feel. Just “I can't leave the house”, and “the doctor gave me pills”, and then it was back to complaining about her typewriter, or the weather.
Reading Shirley's work, or reading about her, automatically makes me sad, because I think of all the magnificent novels and stories she could have written had she lived longer. But there are a lot of smiles to be found in this compilation as well. When she was under contract at Farrar Straus, she mentioned having lunch with a Mr. Giroux, with whom she was unfamiliar. I'll bet he did okay for himself in the publishing biz. Shirley and Stanley seemed to primarily listen to jazz (although they discovered a love for Elvis), but my heart went pitter pat when she mentioned loving the duo Flanders and Swann. Now I will think of Shirley every time I hear "The Hippopotamus Song".
Recommended for anyone who has more than a passing interest in her novels or stories.
bkish's review against another edition
5.0
Numerous times reading this i wanted to close it leave it and thankfully I continuedto read what is a memoir in the form of letters written by the known respected writer Shirley Jackson. The period of time is 1925-1963. She died young successful writer loving mother of 4 children a daughter a friend. Her private life was riddled w grave difficulties. Much has been written abt her marriage to Stanley Hyman also a writer a critic a professor himself a father son brother and a messed up man. He died a few yrs later and had remarried classmate of one of their daughters. Both were harmful to themselves and each other. To me the tragedy for Shirley was her inability to stand up to him and concurrently stand up for herself. She drank as did he smoked overate and in her last yrs had severe fear of leaving home. she was in analysis and doctors gave her many many pills. Her husband had many sexual affairs w female students womwn in nyc when he was teaching at Columbia U. He fed on her financial success and dominated her demanding her time b used to write only what she could sell.
Towards end of her youing life she wrote him letter to express the unexpressible and hid it.
As i read this her letters mostly to her parents her literary agents her children some friends i came to love and admire this woman who sooo loved her children .
Judy g
Towards end of her youing life she wrote him letter to express the unexpressible and hid it.
As i read this her letters mostly to her parents her literary agents her children some friends i came to love and admire this woman who sooo loved her children .
Judy g
candy_bee's review
5.0
Simply magical. A witty, brilliant, deeply fascinating woman gone far too soon. I love Shirley Jackson so very much. One of the best writers of the 20th century. She had a powerful gift. A great read for both avid fans and the uninitiated.
alramsthel's review
4.0
really lovely to read a life in letters, all the every day mundane events and big events, seeing a career and family grow. wonderful tbh
runningjenw's review
5.0
I'm so glad I read this book. I loved getting to know Shirley and her family. Her candid descriptions of daily life and the intimate, conversational way in which she writes her letters was incredibly endearing. I was fascinated by the openness with which she discussed (what I thought were) taboo subjects of the time, such as sex and cohabitation before marriage (gasp!). I was astounded at the amount of alcohol she consumed, and awed by the way she managed a household of four children, a writing career, and, at times, financial insecurity. As I neared the end of the book when I knew her impending death was near, my heart started to sink. I was fully invested in her life story and incredibly sad when it ended so tragically early. While I have read some of her most well known work, after reading her letters, I must go back and read it all over again. I highly recommend this book for anyone who loves memoirs, anyone who is fascinated by the mid-20th century, anyone who loves writing, writers or books, and, of course, any fan of Shirley Jackson.
carocaro69's review
5.0
I wish dearly that Shirley Jackson would have lived much longer and been treated much better by her husband. She shits gold and I’m going to read everything she’s ever written. I hope more of her letters surface, or more of her stories. I’d love to learn more about her creative process. It was such a beautiful experience getting to watch her and her children grow through these letters, and the fact that her son created this volume and that she is clearly so loved by him made the sad knowledge that her life would end at the end of this book a little easier. One of the best books I’ve read all year.