Reading your take on Elizabeth Strout and Laurie Colwin is like seeing the nuanced, intimate choreography of human connections put to page. You articulate that feeling of reading—a calm immersion, a trust in the author’s hands—as beautifully as Strout and Colwin weave the quiet truths of their characters. I think that's what makes both writers so remarkable: they capture the rhythm of ordinary lives with an unflinching gaze. Through Olive’s uncompromising insights and Colwin’s reverence for imperfect love, they give readers characters who feel raw and whole.
It's that balance they strike—a simultaneous comfort and challenge. The sense that you’re drifting on calm waters, yet aware of the complex undercurrents beneath, is rare and delicate. Your description of this "bodily sensation," where a book can bring the peace of a loch in Scotland or the thrill of a rollercoaster, is striking. It reminds us how certain books aren’t just read; they're felt, resonating deeply in ways we can't always explain.
Thank you for bringing that sensation to life through these words—like the writers you admire, you make it a tangible, shared experience.
Aww, thank you so much for this! Although I just started writing recently and am still trying to find my footing here, I’ll make sure reading my piece is worth the time you spend on it.
This post omg! I read my name is Lucy Barton this month and absolutely fell in love! My copy of olive kitteridge arrived today! And happy all the time, have you read it? I did this summer and gave it 5 stars. It was so delightful. I’m glad you put the reissues on my radar. Going to be ordering family happiness and another marvelous thing. I love these slice of life observant heartfelt stories. They remind me I love life and people
Thanks for writing this, and giving me a new author (Colwin) to pursue! I adore Strout - my first entry here last month was an essay about her writing - and this seems like a nice bridge over to a similar voice and world.
Your own writing perfectly echoed the peaceful water vibe you found in our favorite tailors, Colwin & Strout. Truly beautiful reflection and recommendation of both
Absolutely running to Waterstones to pick up Colwin's book 🏃♀️
I think this is also my fave genre - maybe also cause it makes me feel safe - but there's something just so extraordinary about the ordinary (buttered toast mornings etc). Love love love!
Laurie Colwin has quickly become my favorite writer, I bought all her books off eBay and have been slowly pacing them out! So glad you liked this one - affairs are a consistent theme of most of her fiction. She reminds me of Jhumpa Lahiri in that aspect - exploring the same theme over and over with subtle differences, but it never feels stale.
Loved this, thank you Pandora. Goodness you can write! The way you have captured the reading experience was striking. Thank you. I’ve never read anything of Laurie Colvin’s, so excited to dive in.
If you haven’t yet read Laurie Colwin’s Goodbye Without Leaving, I highly recommend it. It has a similar clarity as Another Marvellous Thing.
Reading your take on Elizabeth Strout and Laurie Colwin is like seeing the nuanced, intimate choreography of human connections put to page. You articulate that feeling of reading—a calm immersion, a trust in the author’s hands—as beautifully as Strout and Colwin weave the quiet truths of their characters. I think that's what makes both writers so remarkable: they capture the rhythm of ordinary lives with an unflinching gaze. Through Olive’s uncompromising insights and Colwin’s reverence for imperfect love, they give readers characters who feel raw and whole.
It's that balance they strike—a simultaneous comfort and challenge. The sense that you’re drifting on calm waters, yet aware of the complex undercurrents beneath, is rare and delicate. Your description of this "bodily sensation," where a book can bring the peace of a loch in Scotland or the thrill of a rollercoaster, is striking. It reminds us how certain books aren’t just read; they're felt, resonating deeply in ways we can't always explain.
Thank you for bringing that sensation to life through these words—like the writers you admire, you make it a tangible, shared experience.
That’s a very beautifully written comment! Thank you
I would like to read your writing, based on this beautifully written comment alone!
Aww, thank you so much for this! Although I just started writing recently and am still trying to find my footing here, I’ll make sure reading my piece is worth the time you spend on it.
This post omg! I read my name is Lucy Barton this month and absolutely fell in love! My copy of olive kitteridge arrived today! And happy all the time, have you read it? I did this summer and gave it 5 stars. It was so delightful. I’m glad you put the reissues on my radar. Going to be ordering family happiness and another marvelous thing. I love these slice of life observant heartfelt stories. They remind me I love life and people
“Slice of life observant” = is a theme well-coined, I shall be returning to that!
Thanks for writing this, and giving me a new author (Colwin) to pursue! I adore Strout - my first entry here last month was an essay about her writing - and this seems like a nice bridge over to a similar voice and world.
Your own writing perfectly echoed the peaceful water vibe you found in our favorite tailors, Colwin & Strout. Truly beautiful reflection and recommendation of both
Absolutely running to Waterstones to pick up Colwin's book 🏃♀️
I think this is also my fave genre - maybe also cause it makes me feel safe - but there's something just so extraordinary about the ordinary (buttered toast mornings etc). Love love love!
Laurie Colwin has quickly become my favorite writer, I bought all her books off eBay and have been slowly pacing them out! So glad you liked this one - affairs are a consistent theme of most of her fiction. She reminds me of Jhumpa Lahiri in that aspect - exploring the same theme over and over with subtle differences, but it never feels stale.
Library res made, thank you.
This was a delight to read — lovely writing, P ❤️
Loved this, thank you Pandora. Goodness you can write! The way you have captured the reading experience was striking. Thank you. I’ve never read anything of Laurie Colvin’s, so excited to dive in.