Comfort - we all crave it. I find exceptional joy when I read the words of Pilcher, Raife and others of their era. I find comfort less 'comfortable' when I read it through the lens of discomfort in 21st century writing. In a shifting, devolving world, I don't need to be depressed or insecure. I need to feel there's hope so I can filter hope into the lives of my children and grandchild. Pilcher always gives me that without unfettered deep emotional turmoil. Fiction that one can escape into and not be confronted by... but then I've always been a bit of a Pollyanna.
agreed. the real world can be hard and scary enough i don't need to have those feelings evoked by fiction. i want an escape and a seed of what it could be like, to feed my daydreaming.
I'm also a Pollyanna type, mostly because it's vital for my mental health and to NOT be would send me into a bit of a sad spiral. I suppose it's a coping mechanism, a way to not be dragged down, a hopeful habit aimed at bolstering the spirit and improving the days.
Thank you so much for sharing your research writing, Pip. Have downloaded it, read the first few crisply written pages, and will definitely be sharing it with a student who is exploring a similar set of questions - but in the South African context, with zine-making as the research object. So good.
Ah Pip, I’ve read the academic part and will return to the story. Since knowing you via social media more than in person…I recall meeting you briefly in 2012 at Melbs blogging conference, I have always felt comforted by your words and photos. Your placement of food, and items of your day, including craft etc has always drawn me in. Even in some of the bleakest times I recall from your days in Melb during Covid you endeavoured to find comfort in beauty on your morning walks. I’m 75 and Rosamund Pilcher books Maeve Binchy too along with Joanne Trollope gave me insights into another kind of life when I was a busy mum, wife and deputy principal…it was lovely. But now, despite trying one or two again, they have not stayed with me as comfort. Interesting! And congrats again on your AMAZING uni achievements!
That's very interesting about the changing of the guard in your comfort reading. What sorts of books do make an impact in the comfort department, Denyse? (And thank you for your comment and those reflections on where we've both been and what we've both done.)
Morning Pip! I'm listening to Elizabeth Strout series of 7 books for the second time & I am not as comfortable as I thought with the content because it's "confronting" me at this age with the realities of ageing into my 8th decade. So... I comfort create instead with my art & design fun! Very soothing!
Oh Pip, I loved your short story, in the midst of an awful experience it felt so beautiful, comforting and so much love. I also loved that i recognised so many of the landmarks. I couldn't help but wonder how much of it was your own story.
I’ve just finished reading Lucy Treloar’s Days of Innocence and Wonder. I loved it , but I got so much more out of it after reading your work on home and comfort. Thank you so much it really opened my eyes and helped me understand the importance of making a home. My reading gained a lot from reading your work.💐
Comfort - we all crave it. I find exceptional joy when I read the words of Pilcher, Raife and others of their era. I find comfort less 'comfortable' when I read it through the lens of discomfort in 21st century writing. In a shifting, devolving world, I don't need to be depressed or insecure. I need to feel there's hope so I can filter hope into the lives of my children and grandchild. Pilcher always gives me that without unfettered deep emotional turmoil. Fiction that one can escape into and not be confronted by... but then I've always been a bit of a Pollyanna.
agreed. the real world can be hard and scary enough i don't need to have those feelings evoked by fiction. i want an escape and a seed of what it could be like, to feed my daydreaming.
Oh Prue! I couldn’t agree more!
I'm also a Pollyanna type, mostly because it's vital for my mental health and to NOT be would send me into a bit of a sad spiral. I suppose it's a coping mechanism, a way to not be dragged down, a hopeful habit aimed at bolstering the spirit and improving the days.
Thank you so much for sharing your research writing, Pip. Have downloaded it, read the first few crisply written pages, and will definitely be sharing it with a student who is exploring a similar set of questions - but in the South African context, with zine-making as the research object. So good.
Hopefully some bits will be of use, Benita. Thanks so much for sharing and for taking the time to do some Pip reading. x
Ah Pip, I’ve read the academic part and will return to the story. Since knowing you via social media more than in person…I recall meeting you briefly in 2012 at Melbs blogging conference, I have always felt comforted by your words and photos. Your placement of food, and items of your day, including craft etc has always drawn me in. Even in some of the bleakest times I recall from your days in Melb during Covid you endeavoured to find comfort in beauty on your morning walks. I’m 75 and Rosamund Pilcher books Maeve Binchy too along with Joanne Trollope gave me insights into another kind of life when I was a busy mum, wife and deputy principal…it was lovely. But now, despite trying one or two again, they have not stayed with me as comfort. Interesting! And congrats again on your AMAZING uni achievements!
That's very interesting about the changing of the guard in your comfort reading. What sorts of books do make an impact in the comfort department, Denyse? (And thank you for your comment and those reflections on where we've both been and what we've both done.)
Morning Pip! I'm listening to Elizabeth Strout series of 7 books for the second time & I am not as comfortable as I thought with the content because it's "confronting" me at this age with the realities of ageing into my 8th decade. So... I comfort create instead with my art & design fun! Very soothing!
Thanks for sharing that Pip. I’m going to read it all x
You don't have to! Only if you want to! And thank you for the support and the comment. xx
Oh Pip, I loved your short story, in the midst of an awful experience it felt so beautiful, comforting and so much love. I also loved that i recognised so many of the landmarks. I couldn't help but wonder how much of it was your own story.
I'm so glad you shared it with us
thank you
* cries * <—- that’s it. That’s my response.
Just finished the short story. I loved it. Would definitely love to read a longer version.
Did you read it, Cathy?! Thank you. That's so kind of you and I really appreciate it. :)
I’ve just finished reading Lucy Treloar’s Days of Innocence and Wonder. I loved it , but I got so much more out of it after reading your work on home and comfort. Thank you so much it really opened my eyes and helped me understand the importance of making a home. My reading gained a lot from reading your work.💐
Oh my goodness this makes me so happy! Thank you, Cathy. I truly appreciate the support. More than you can know. X