Drawings by the minimalist sculptor Fred Sandback turned up in the loft. Then I found the story I wrote in college about the relationship he had with my mother ...
There is so much love for Fred in your writing--then and now--and the connection between the themes of his art and the themes in your writing (the line between absence and presence). Beautiful.
Heartbreaking. Your writing is so incredibly vivid, and while reading I was having vivid flashes of Panda Bear and the long phone wire leading to the bathroom….
I am saddened that these intense, life -changing conversations happened by phone when Fred was just a few blocks away.
Yes to all the other comments— this is really moving. The sheer creativity of all the art work is so impressive, then the emotions are so complex as well. And I love the dialogue created by the italicized sections. It’s so hard to re-animate the past in its own voice and you do that so well here.
This would be moving with the text alone, but the art makes a deep impression. Thanks for this window into lives — would gladly read more on everything here.
Compelling to see this through the slant of the young child who was an innocent eyewitness and a narrator who has both compassion for her mother and for her younger self as she pieces together what wasn't spoken about and which had been so confusing.
There is so much love for Fred in your writing--then and now--and the connection between the themes of his art and the themes in your writing (the line between absence and presence). Beautiful.
Thank you, Emily.
‘I was supposed to love him only while she loved him.’ That is such a telling sentence.
Also that comment you made when they were first going out, “Do you have any idea how old my mom is?” Made me laugh out loud, Eliza. But ouch!
I really did think I was getting rid of him for her. Sooo helpful
Heartbreaking. Your writing is so incredibly vivid, and while reading I was having vivid flashes of Panda Bear and the long phone wire leading to the bathroom….
I am saddened that these intense, life -changing conversations happened by phone when Fred was just a few blocks away.
Good point
The way you recollect these moments make it all feel so present and touching. A window info someone else’s world.
Thank you, Bonnie
Yes to all the other comments— this is really moving. The sheer creativity of all the art work is so impressive, then the emotions are so complex as well. And I love the dialogue created by the italicized sections. It’s so hard to re-animate the past in its own voice and you do that so well here.
This would be moving with the text alone, but the art makes a deep impression. Thanks for this window into lives — would gladly read more on everything here.
I just read the Times link. So painful, after reading this. I'm so sorry.
Yup
Compelling to see this through the slant of the young child who was an innocent eyewitness and a narrator who has both compassion for her mother and for her younger self as she pieces together what wasn't spoken about and which had been so confusing.
Thank you, Jill
I felt some sadness, reading this. Your writing, though, Eliza, is lucid and brilliant as always––
Thank you so much Joan
I love the interspersed commentary on this piece, Eliza. It's so haunting, actually.
Thank you, Lindsay
So sad! Love your writing!
Thank you, Marge