Vowell Sounds
Currently reading The Partly Cloudy Patriot, by Sarah Vowell.
Why did it take me until now to really dive into her written work? Especially since I’ve been a huge fan of her radio work on This American Life ever since we heard the bit about her gunsmith father and his cannon while driving to Michigan in 1997 or so. At any rate, I’m devouring the published material rapidly, having already burned through Take the Cannoli, which had been sitting on the shelf, ignored by me, for at least two years.
(By the way, let me just thank the bus system for giving me the reading time each morning and afternoon to do this kind of thing.)
But now that I’m into the material, I’m really into it — I’m finding that certain pieces have an impact deep in my gut, especially some of the more political ones dealing with the ever-more-complicated dislike of American policies versus a love for America. Combine those with the lighter, funnier pieces and I’m totally won over. Some of my friends will say “well, DUH. It’s about time, looser!” but hey, better to to actually be engaged late than disinterested, right?
October 16th, 2005 at 2:35 pm
My favorite bit is where she’s describing a high school teacher who justifies his subject with the old bromide that those who do not study history are condemned to repeat it. She’s like, yeah, it was quite helpful, now I’ll make sure I never invade Russia in the wintertime ….