Unfortunately, there has been complications with M. Mary’s health over the past few years. Late last year it took a turn. Stabilized now. For a while now, a group of us have been helping to maintain the blog with M. Mary’s support, consent and final say. The blog has been in many ways M. Mary’s way of looking at and interacting with the world. None of us knew about it until recently. Though the love of literature has always been a large part of M. Mary’s life.
When it comes to the Nobel, that’s always been M. Mary’s curiosity and topic, as it was the gateway to the idea of world literature as a concept. But we think there as been a conscious effort to wind it down. After last year, we think it was understood that it may be it. We recently found out that the post itself was started months in advance. And we think M. Mary knew then their health was on shaky ground, but the goal was to have one last big hurrah if possible.
M. Mary had also mentioned it started to become quite consuming. And recently, lamenting that with the aging old guard and the deaths of many favourites, speculation had become more difficult to discern clear stand out stars to form constellations or series of writers who are interesting and have a chance to win.
We also learned there was a lot of vitriol aimed and directed at M. Mary, which was deflating. Though it was often dismissed as consequences of being on the internet. But last year we could tell it took its toll. Which was disheartening. Its not much, but for M. Mary this blog provides purpose, a drive to read, share thoughts and interests and speculation. It provided a lot of structure.
Going forward we hope to continue to help with the blogs maintenance, even after the inevitable for as long as we can. It would be a nice way to keep the memory alive for as long as we are able, and M. Mary has continued to add to a growing list of writers and books of interest that we can continue to read what interested them.
To answer your question, the strength for speculation though isn’t there this year. On behalf of M. Mary, we are sorry for that. But we’ll pass this message along. Thank you for the comment.
For now, M. Mary has tried to stay on the down low, hoping that this year’s writer is a surprise.
Hi! Thank you for the detailed response. I am very sorry to hear about M. Mary’s state. I hope and pray for their health, in all senses! Their posts have always been enriching in providing new names to discover and read. I am also sorry to hear about the vitriol she’s received. I understand this is not easy. It is very sad… Hoping once more for their recovery! Hugs and best wishes!
You are so sweet! Thank you so much for the kind’s words and prayers, that is very thoughtful of you, I truly appreciate it! My apologies though for the delay in responding.
I have to ask now, what do you make of this year’s laureate? On the one hand, not surprising and yet on the other and interesting choice. I’m happy for Anne Carson, I think she is a good choice, certainly an innovative writer.
It’s simply marvelous to hear from you! Thank you again for the kind words, you are a doll!
Hey, Mary! How are you doing?
ReplyDeleteAre you posting about the Nobel this year? ☺️
Best wishes,
Gabriel.
Hello Gabriel,
DeleteFull disclosure, this isn’t M. Mary.
Unfortunately, there has been complications with M. Mary’s health over the past few years. Late last year it took a turn. Stabilized now. For a while now, a group of us have been helping to maintain the blog with M. Mary’s support, consent and final say. The blog has been in many ways M. Mary’s way of looking at and interacting with the world. None of us knew about it until recently. Though the love of literature has always been a large part of M. Mary’s life.
When it comes to the Nobel, that’s always been M. Mary’s curiosity and topic, as it was the gateway to the idea of world literature as a concept. But we think there as been a conscious effort to wind it down. After last year, we think it was understood that it may be it. We recently found out that the post itself was started months in advance. And we think M. Mary knew then their health was on shaky ground, but the goal was to have one last big hurrah if possible.
M. Mary had also mentioned it started to become quite consuming. And recently, lamenting that with the aging old guard and the deaths of many favourites, speculation had become more difficult to discern clear stand out stars to form constellations or series of writers who are interesting and have a chance to win.
We also learned there was a lot of vitriol aimed and directed at M. Mary, which was deflating. Though it was often dismissed as consequences of being on the internet. But last year we could tell it took its toll. Which was disheartening. Its not much, but for M. Mary this blog provides purpose, a drive to read, share thoughts and interests and speculation. It provided a lot of structure.
Going forward we hope to continue to help with the blogs maintenance, even after the inevitable for as long as we can. It would be a nice way to keep the memory alive for as long as we are able, and M. Mary has continued to add to a growing list of writers and books of interest that we can continue to read what interested them.
To answer your question, the strength for speculation though isn’t there this year. On behalf of M. Mary, we are sorry for that. But we’ll pass this message along. Thank you for the comment.
For now, M. Mary has tried to stay on the down low, hoping that this year’s writer is a surprise.
Hi!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the detailed response. I am very sorry to hear about M. Mary’s state. I hope and pray for their health, in all senses!
Their posts have always been enriching in providing new names to discover and read.
I am also sorry to hear about the vitriol she’s received. I understand this is not easy. It is very sad…
Hoping once more for their recovery!
Hugs and best wishes!
Hello Gabriel!
DeleteYou are so sweet! Thank you so much for the kind’s words and prayers, that is very thoughtful of you, I truly appreciate it! My apologies though for the delay in responding.
I have to ask now, what do you make of this year’s laureate? On the one hand, not surprising and yet on the other and interesting choice. I’m happy for Anne Carson, I think she is a good choice, certainly an innovative writer.
It’s simply marvelous to hear from you! Thank you again for the kind words, you are a doll!
M. Mary