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A review by hemloc
As We Are Now by May Sarton
5.0
Six reasons to read As We Are Now:
1) May Sarton was an intelligent women who had things to say and points to make. The making of those points is greatly aided by the quality of her writing, which is deceptively simple.
2) This grim and honest account of old age stresses the importance of personal identity and community.
3) One of the ideas explored in this story is that wickedness creates its own heaven. A wicked person rarely sees themself as cruel; they think they are good and their delusion places them atop a pedestal where they are untouchable.
4) I love that Caro doesn't regret not marrying. She acknowledges the appeal of marriage, which is not companionship, but the possibility to grow alongside someone, but is happy with her decision nevertheless.
5) "I believe we are forgiven at the instant of asking forgiveness, for asking forgiveness is an act of faith." I like this sentence.
6) The all-important afterword closes the story wonderfully, perfect in its simplicity.
Two drawbacks to As We Are Now:
1) Though it makes sense within the context of the story, the frequent repetition of the main character's goals becomes tiring.
2) Caro's final act doesn't work for me. Despite how the author weaves it in, it feels forced and out of character.
1) May Sarton was an intelligent women who had things to say and points to make. The making of those points is greatly aided by the quality of her writing, which is deceptively simple.
2) This grim and honest account of old age stresses the importance of personal identity and community.
3) One of the ideas explored in this story is that wickedness creates its own heaven. A wicked person rarely sees themself as cruel; they think they are good and their delusion places them atop a pedestal where they are untouchable.
4) I love that Caro doesn't regret not marrying. She acknowledges the appeal of marriage, which is not companionship, but the possibility to grow alongside someone, but is happy with her decision nevertheless.
5) "I believe we are forgiven at the instant of asking forgiveness, for asking forgiveness is an act of faith." I like this sentence.
6) The all-important afterword closes the story wonderfully, perfect in its simplicity.
Two drawbacks to As We Are Now:
1) Though it makes sense within the context of the story, the frequent repetition of the main character's goals becomes tiring.
2) Caro's final act doesn't work for me. Despite how the author weaves it in, it feels forced and out of character.