getting it right

This is a banyan tree, one of several, at Selby Gardens in Sarasota, where I spent the past almost-a-week. Strictly vacation, visiting good friends who winter there, and a much-needed vacation after a lot of travel...and more to come: Detroit next weekend, then Baltimore,Washington DC, Philadelphia, and finally, Los Angeles.

Today was the PEN Hemingway event at the Kennedy Library (such a gorgeous location on a clear day with blue sky). I remember speaking of that event on this blog a year ago, when Joyce Carol Oates was the keynote speaker. This year it was Alice Hoffman, and I was the one to introduce her, a real privilege, since Alice has been a friend for many years...but also daunting, wanting to get it right and do her justice. I remember that last year it surprised me that JCO was funny; I hadn't expected that. No surprises with Alice, that she was articulate and smart and political.

Patrick Hemingway , Ernest Hemingway's son, read the opening passage of "A Farewell to Arms" and read it well. I haven't re-read that book in years but the opening pages...and the ending...have stayed with me; I could almost recite the words as he read. The Kennedy Library houses the Hemingway archives and papers, including the 44 versions of the last page of "A Farewell to Arms." I remember reading once that when asked why he rewrote and rewrote it, EH replied: "To get the words right."

An email today from my German daughter-in-law tells me that my granddaughter and her good friend, Annika, have just received the book "The Willoughbys," which I dedicated to the two of them. Annika will have to wait until it is translated into German because she is not proficient yet in English, but Nadine, my granddaughter, reads (and speaks) both languages.

IN the waiting mail when I returned from Florida, incidentally, were several copies of THE GIVER in Vietnamese, plus other copies in a language I am uncertain of...perhaps Serbo-Croatian?...with my name spelled Luis Lauri. Click these to enlarge.

Comments

[Tasses]

I was in heaven when I found your blog. Then, what do I see on my first day after subscribing? You, my favorite children's literature writer, speaking of my favorite adult literature writer! If I had been in that room I'd have passed out cold.

I'm certain that you've heard it before, but your stories have provided me with a wealth of teaching opportunities. Thanks :-)

[Susan]

Hello Lois, Did you know that Hillary and Obama will be debating at the Constitution Center in Philly on the same night that you will be in Havertown? I'm hoping to do both! Susan

[Lois Lowry]

Good grief. Probably the Secret Service will all be at Constitution Hall and I won't get any protection at all! :-)

Go Barack!

[Ken Storey]

I live about 35 mins from Sarasota. I love the Banyan trees, there's a huge one in St. Pete Florida and another in Winter Haven.

It would be interesting to see how people of another culture interpret a story such as The Giver. I find I place way to much of my own culture and upbring upon the stories I read, its always refreshing when I hear how another person interprets it.

[Louisa Maas]

I have a suggention for you to have the orginal in english print with the written German translation underneath for Annika. In time this may mean much more to her. My own children were born in Japan as we are military. My ESL students gifted my own children with Japanese storybooks done this way. Today they are our treasures.

[kallie]

hi lois ive read the giver,gathering blue,and messenger.im a big fan of your books.two of my teachers and three of my friends and i have read them an think they are so great.thanks for writting them.im woundering what made you think of these books and the charctors.im only 11 but i really do love your books.and in the third book messenger i alomst cried when matty died.and so did my teachers and my friends please leave me a comment.your biggest fan kallie