On Friday night, Marilynne Robinson read from her latest novel, “Home.” Needless to say, she was wonderful, composed, and thoughtful, and genuinely seemed to enjoy her time in the warm Old Pueblo.
On Saturday, she delivered a tremendously subtle and complex lecture on the poetry of Wallace Stevens, and how he, in conjunction with contemporaries like William James and Sigmund Freud (perhaps you’ve heard of them?!), were all concerned with similar metaphysical problems. She was witty and engaging, and so much smarter than most of us in the room (although I should only speak for myself, there were times when her mind blazed ahead) that by the end, I was exhausted. In a transcendent way, of course. She then was kind enough to sit down and speak with a few of us, about liberal theology and the Middle West and the modern political state (hint: she’s a member of the Obama congregation) and the role of art in an ever-expanding universe and the redemptive quality of aesthetics. Needless to say, we recorded it, seeing as none of us could type that quickly.
We should have some pictures, from the interview, on the site later this week. Also, perhaps, an excerpt or two from the illuminating discussion, which will run in its entirety in the next issue of Sonora.
Until then, I’m hoping my mind absorbs at least 10% of Marilynne Robinson’s wonderful ideas. I’ll be a better person because of it.
Brannon Clark Larson
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