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The Writer's Almanac from Thursday, April 11, 2013
The Writer's Almanac from Thursday, April 11, 2013"Wild" by Stephen Dunn, from What Goes On. © Norton, 2009. ORIGINAL TEXT AND AUDIO - 2013 It's the birthday of Marguerite de Navarre, born in Angoulême, France, in 1492. The daughter of a count and a mother with high aspirations for her children, Marguerite learned Latin, Spanish, Hebrew, and Italian and read philosophy and the Scriptures. Her younger brother, Francis, became the King of France. He had always looked up to his big sister, and he asked her to join his court to provide counsel and advice. She did, advising her brother on diplomatic affairs and why he should employ Leonardo da Vinci and Benvenuto Cellini at the royal court, and why he should try to reform the Catholic Church. She tried to mediate the religious conflict between Catholics and Protestants, and to protect reformers like John Calvin — even though she didn't agree with him. It's the birthday of writer Dorothy Allison, born in Greenville, South Carolina (1949) to an unwed 15-year-old who'd dropped out of seventh grade and worked as a waitress. Allison grew up desperately poor, and was sexually abused by her stepfather. But she was inspired by the confidence her teachers and classmates had in her intelligence. 'Because they did not see poverty and hopelessness as a foregone conclusion for my life,' she wrote, 'I could begin to imagine other futures for myself.' She won a National Merit Scholarship and was the first person in her family to attend college. There, in the late '60s, she was introduced to the Feminist movement, which she said 'was like opening your eyes under water. It hurt, but suddenly everything that had been dark and mysterious became visible and open to change.' She wrote a memoir about her childhood and family history, Two or Three Things I Know for Sure (1995), but it is her earlier novel, Bastard Out of Carolina (1992), that she's best known for. Allison said, 'People want biography. People want memoir. They want you to tell them that the story you're telling them is true. The thing I'm telling you is true, but it did not always happen to me.' Be well, do good work, and keep in touch.® LIMITED OFFERWe are excited to announce the publication of BRISK VERSE, a brand-new collection of Garrison Keillor’s poetry. This compilation of almost 200 poems will take the reader through whimsy and tomfoolery, solemn thought-provoking lines, mischievous observations, and tons of fun. And it’s the perfect gift. (Father’s Day is coming up soon.) Consider taking advantage of this presale offer for an autographed copy or a copy that includes a personalized greeting. Autographed copies will ship after May 15thPersonalized copies will ship by May 30th“Healthful. Invigorating. Good for reading aloud to friends and associates, neighbors, colleagues, bartenders, passersby, even strangers in libraries or on airplanes. One copy of this book will make you the life of the party, a welcome guest in any home, a person of fine taste who also relishes a good time.” If you are a paid subscriber to The Writer's Almanac with Garrison Keillor, thank you! Your financial support is used to maintain these newsletters, websites, and archive. If you’re not yet a paid subscriber and would like to become one, support can be made through our garrisonkeillor.com store, by check to Prairie Home Productions, P.O. Box 2090, Minneapolis, MN 55402, or by clicking the SUBSCRIBE button. This financial support is not tax deductible.
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