"The end goal of quiet reading, however, is never to show how an individual or group has suffered because of a social identity" Yes. How did this ever take off?
I appreciate the chance to think about the questions you've raised--as well as to add another book to my TBT list. Your words make me think of another book I just read--Kelly Barnhill's When Women Were Dragons. Silence and patriarchy and power are quietly explored in it, as well as relationships between mothers and daughters. You might like it.
Tara, I love the image of the twice baked potato as a metaphor for quiet reading! Brilliant! For me, the space between quiet and unquiet is the hum...there is an external sound, but it is mostly inner vibration. I haven't read Damsel yet, but did watch the movie and loved it. Even in the movie, I noticed the use of the different languages of the traditional fairy tale juxtaposed with the action movie. I don't want to write any spoilers here, but there were many bits that turned the traditional (male-written) fairytale on its head, while simultaneously poking fun at the patriarchy-based tropes of the action genre. I enjoyed every bite!
This is such an interesting and unexpected focus, as I never considered that the word 'quiet' in your publication name meant that a book's content would only speak in hushed voices, wash over like a gentle rain, or fall as moonlight on my surfaces. To me "Quiet Reading" meant personal, introspective, contemplative which, to my mind, became whatever it needed to be from there. Groundswell. Heart-song. Uprising.
On your About page you also wrote: "Quiet reading can walk us to the brink of meditation, or worship, or whatever it is we do to tap our deepest well." It is from those starting points that I run, leap, and fly!
The analogy of not looking away while taking in the hard stuff, the un-quiet reading, to that of a twice baked potato is excellent. Its strength lies in the fact that I will never forget it! Since I prefer to reside in the land of fairies and unicorns I have trouble facing the hard stuff (I'm working on it) but this approach resonates with me and makes it seem like I can do it.
I appreciate this in-depth look at Damsel, I look forward to reading the book, which I know I will likely prefer to the screen.
My interpretation of the phrase, Quiet Reading, is to (as much as possible) try and read from outside and beyond one’s cluttered mental framework—a framework laden with biases, expectations, motivated reasonings, roadblocks, etc.—and allow the text to speak for itself, allow the text to blaze new trails of thinking, feeling, and imagining.
I have always eaten the skin of the potato. Always.
"The end goal of quiet reading, however, is never to show how an individual or group has suffered because of a social identity" Yes. How did this ever take off?
Restacked: Love the concept of "heart song" of a book, any beloved book, including Morrison's _Beloved_. Yes, Tara? Or no, Tara?
I appreciate the chance to think about the questions you've raised--as well as to add another book to my TBT list. Your words make me think of another book I just read--Kelly Barnhill's When Women Were Dragons. Silence and patriarchy and power are quietly explored in it, as well as relationships between mothers and daughters. You might like it.
"Both feminist and humanist."
Failing to see beyond categories is a problem, not a solution. A retreat, not an advance.
Tara, I love the image of the twice baked potato as a metaphor for quiet reading! Brilliant! For me, the space between quiet and unquiet is the hum...there is an external sound, but it is mostly inner vibration. I haven't read Damsel yet, but did watch the movie and loved it. Even in the movie, I noticed the use of the different languages of the traditional fairy tale juxtaposed with the action movie. I don't want to write any spoilers here, but there were many bits that turned the traditional (male-written) fairytale on its head, while simultaneously poking fun at the patriarchy-based tropes of the action genre. I enjoyed every bite!
Wonderful quiet thoughts about reading, feminism and potatoes!
This is such an interesting and unexpected focus, as I never considered that the word 'quiet' in your publication name meant that a book's content would only speak in hushed voices, wash over like a gentle rain, or fall as moonlight on my surfaces. To me "Quiet Reading" meant personal, introspective, contemplative which, to my mind, became whatever it needed to be from there. Groundswell. Heart-song. Uprising.
On your About page you also wrote: "Quiet reading can walk us to the brink of meditation, or worship, or whatever it is we do to tap our deepest well." It is from those starting points that I run, leap, and fly!
Or have I missed the point? 😅
I’m late to this conversation, Tara, but might I suggest a pair of sound canceling earbuds for reading unquiet books?
The analogy of not looking away while taking in the hard stuff, the un-quiet reading, to that of a twice baked potato is excellent. Its strength lies in the fact that I will never forget it! Since I prefer to reside in the land of fairies and unicorns I have trouble facing the hard stuff (I'm working on it) but this approach resonates with me and makes it seem like I can do it.
I appreciate this in-depth look at Damsel, I look forward to reading the book, which I know I will likely prefer to the screen.
Thank you Tara.
My interpretation of the phrase, Quiet Reading, is to (as much as possible) try and read from outside and beyond one’s cluttered mental framework—a framework laden with biases, expectations, motivated reasonings, roadblocks, etc.—and allow the text to speak for itself, allow the text to blaze new trails of thinking, feeling, and imagining.
I have always eaten the skin of the potato. Always.