This post, as the kids say, hit me right in the feels. I didn't even make it past the first sentence before the weeping set it. Thank you for sharing this with Story Club, George, and Mr. Lewandowski, if you read this, thank you also. You sound like a wonderful teacher and this gift of guided reading, of trying to expand and make sense of the world through stories and writing, is no small thing. The teachings of my favorite educators have accompanied me throughout my life, as I feel certain the work you're doing with your students will accompany them. I feel certain they are all finding their own voices in the cacophany. (I feel a pang of envy looking at that reading list. Why couldn't I read books like these in high school? And "Annals of the Former World" is stunning).
Thank you for making me feel hope, in a week when I felt short on it.
(P.S. Happy wedding anniversary, George! We would have forgiven some radio silence, I'm sure, but as I've said before--you're too good to us. Thank you!)
Hi George Saunders, thank you for enjoying my work! My name is Henry Wilson and it was such a high honor for you posting it! I'm not the best drawer of all time, but that scene and character opened my eyes to the true, unbearable reality that is grief so true that it is near impossible to ameliorate. Thank you!
WOW! What a lovely post. The students of S.H.S. are lucky to have Mr. Lewandowski and you.
Selfishly, I was especially excited to see this as I live in Arkansas AND my book club is discussing Lincoln In The Bardo this month. Everyone will be excited to have these additional points for our talk.
I'm so glad you were able to correspond with these students and Mr. Lewandowski. I read recently an article in which student reached out to a famous author who is a bit of a recluse and more terse in his responses. But he seemed pleased with the students' questions and willing to answer them. That author was Cormac McCarthy, and it too was a lovely exchange.
I've been up in arms this week about America being so up in arms, and Story Club is the palliative I needed. Thank you for the joy you put into the world, George. It truly is inspiring.
What a beautiful post. Life affirming! Thank God for wonderful teachers like Mr. Lewandowski, and for generous artists such as you, George, giving your time so freely and thoughtfully to this group of young and impressive thinkers/writers. This just gave me a happiness boost all the way through. (And I loved all the insider information on how you created one of my favorite books of all time. When you explained about the Reverend! Fantastic! Thank you.)
Thank you for this. I have been feeling pretty cynical and hopeless about the world these last couple weeks (as I imagine many of us have been) and this was just the medicine I needed.
I have two young daughters - I can’t stay cynical and hopeless. I can’t be paralyzed about the future. Sometimes it seems impossible to get out of that... funk? (Funk seems like the wrong word but will have to suffice for now.) These kids are lifting my mood, lifting my spirits, and wow - I appreciate them so much.
Thank you again for sharing this, George, and for being the kind, generous teacher you are.
I’m trying to imagine the thrill of being in high school with the opportunity to ask questions of an author whose book you’re assigned to read!! “Oh, here’s Walker Percy on the phone. Any one have questions?” Writers, in my adolescent mind, lived in an electric universe, far from my “bardo..” You are sublime, George, to collapse that distance for these lovely young people and hats off to you Mr. Lewandowski, for asking. And Karen Delgado! That drawing!! Go girl.
Plus, i just noticed the quote from Romeo and Juliet on Mr. Lewandowski's wall. That man! Such bounty in his classroom! Infinite love! Oh, i love this teacher.
I am fascinated by Mr. Lewandowski’s challenging curriculum. He doesn’t sell his students short and that is so admirable. DFW with high school students!!! Their insights into Bardo were great. I loved loved loved Bardo but never once wondered who George’s favorite character was! Maybe Mr. Lewandowski can join us in Story Club?
Yeah, it's always nice to know there are still good people out there, and they're never going to forget your kindness, George. Glad you posted this. You're going to share a lot of great stuff in the future, but so far this is really my favorite post...
I am here. Back from the beach, where I've been reading these comments, occasionally weeping, tossing the football around with the kids, swimming in the ocean. It's been pretty emotional. Thank you all for your warm attention and well wishes. I have much more to say, but I'll start here: Hello!
This post, as the kids say, hit me right in the feels. I didn't even make it past the first sentence before the weeping set it. Thank you for sharing this with Story Club, George, and Mr. Lewandowski, if you read this, thank you also. You sound like a wonderful teacher and this gift of guided reading, of trying to expand and make sense of the world through stories and writing, is no small thing. The teachings of my favorite educators have accompanied me throughout my life, as I feel certain the work you're doing with your students will accompany them. I feel certain they are all finding their own voices in the cacophany. (I feel a pang of envy looking at that reading list. Why couldn't I read books like these in high school? And "Annals of the Former World" is stunning).
Thank you for making me feel hope, in a week when I felt short on it.
(P.S. Happy wedding anniversary, George! We would have forgiven some radio silence, I'm sure, but as I've said before--you're too good to us. Thank you!)
Hi George Saunders, thank you for enjoying my work! My name is Henry Wilson and it was such a high honor for you posting it! I'm not the best drawer of all time, but that scene and character opened my eyes to the true, unbearable reality that is grief so true that it is near impossible to ameliorate. Thank you!
WOW! What a lovely post. The students of S.H.S. are lucky to have Mr. Lewandowski and you.
Selfishly, I was especially excited to see this as I live in Arkansas AND my book club is discussing Lincoln In The Bardo this month. Everyone will be excited to have these additional points for our talk.
I'm so glad you were able to correspond with these students and Mr. Lewandowski. I read recently an article in which student reached out to a famous author who is a bit of a recluse and more terse in his responses. But he seemed pleased with the students' questions and willing to answer them. That author was Cormac McCarthy, and it too was a lovely exchange.
I've been up in arms this week about America being so up in arms, and Story Club is the palliative I needed. Thank you for the joy you put into the world, George. It truly is inspiring.
Just when I thought I couldn’t possibly ❤️ George Saunders any more ...
What a beautiful post. Life affirming! Thank God for wonderful teachers like Mr. Lewandowski, and for generous artists such as you, George, giving your time so freely and thoughtfully to this group of young and impressive thinkers/writers. This just gave me a happiness boost all the way through. (And I loved all the insider information on how you created one of my favorite books of all time. When you explained about the Reverend! Fantastic! Thank you.)
Thank you for this. I have been feeling pretty cynical and hopeless about the world these last couple weeks (as I imagine many of us have been) and this was just the medicine I needed.
I have two young daughters - I can’t stay cynical and hopeless. I can’t be paralyzed about the future. Sometimes it seems impossible to get out of that... funk? (Funk seems like the wrong word but will have to suffice for now.) These kids are lifting my mood, lifting my spirits, and wow - I appreciate them so much.
Thank you again for sharing this, George, and for being the kind, generous teacher you are.
I’m trying to imagine the thrill of being in high school with the opportunity to ask questions of an author whose book you’re assigned to read!! “Oh, here’s Walker Percy on the phone. Any one have questions?” Writers, in my adolescent mind, lived in an electric universe, far from my “bardo..” You are sublime, George, to collapse that distance for these lovely young people and hats off to you Mr. Lewandowski, for asking. And Karen Delgado! That drawing!! Go girl.
English teachers are the best. My favorite was Mrs. Bollinger in sixth grade. She had us write poems and read them aloud and praised them.
Plus, i just noticed the quote from Romeo and Juliet on Mr. Lewandowski's wall. That man! Such bounty in his classroom! Infinite love! Oh, i love this teacher.
I am fascinated by Mr. Lewandowski’s challenging curriculum. He doesn’t sell his students short and that is so admirable. DFW with high school students!!! Their insights into Bardo were great. I loved loved loved Bardo but never once wondered who George’s favorite character was! Maybe Mr. Lewandowski can join us in Story Club?
I loved this so much! What a wonderful Thursday surprise. Shout out to my high school teacher, Margaret Land. Cheers to teachers!
Like so many others, this post made me weep. It's beautiful. Thank you.
I especially love "all these lovely, subjective little doofs..." It makes me well up with compassion for all of us and everyone.
What an absolute joy. I'm going to write my high school English teacher.
Yeah, it's always nice to know there are still good people out there, and they're never going to forget your kindness, George. Glad you posted this. You're going to share a lot of great stuff in the future, but so far this is really my favorite post...
I am here. Back from the beach, where I've been reading these comments, occasionally weeping, tossing the football around with the kids, swimming in the ocean. It's been pretty emotional. Thank you all for your warm attention and well wishes. I have much more to say, but I'll start here: Hello!