47 Comments
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Jessica Murnane's avatar

I know we’re not supposed to give applause yet…so this is a very restrained…I’M SO EXCITED FOR YOUR NEW BOOK.

Hurley Winkler's avatar

I second this!!!!

Mason Currey's avatar

Thanks, Hurley, for staying enthusiastic for all these years!

Mason Currey's avatar

Thank you, Jessica, I so so appreciate it! More soon . . .

Anna Brones's avatar

Oh I really like this one. Such an important reminder of why we need each other - and also why it’s important to keep encouraging our friends! And I can’t wait for official book announcement 😍

B.A. Lampman's avatar

A great story, which I thoroughly enjoyed until this line near the end: "In order to acquire this love of themselves women look in a looking-glass." Of course, he was a product of his time, I understand. But it's still always jarring to see something like this.

Mason Currey's avatar

Yes, that part is jarring. I thought about omitting that line, but decided it was better to quote the full passage. Different times, yes, but I agree that it introduces a sour note for contemporary readers.

B.A. Lampman's avatar

I wouldn't expect you to change or edit the quote, and I did hesitate before commenting on it because that's just introducing my own sour note! But I imagine that many women feel the same... that it's so dismaying to read things like that.

Kelly McMasters's avatar

Such a beautiful story. (And I can’t wait for your announcement!! 👏👏👏👏)

Mason Currey's avatar

Thank you, Kelly!

Laura M. Fabrycky's avatar

What you put into the world has such immense value, Mason. Thanks for wriggling with perseverance!

Mason Currey's avatar

Thank you, Laura, that means a lot!

Joyce Wycoff's avatar

Lovely story ... thanks for sharing and may your new book fly into waiting arms!

Mason Currey's avatar

Thank you, Joyce, much appreciated!

Fran Blake's avatar

if people would work together, rather than compete with one another, we'd all be better off. Wonderful story, thank you for sharing

Sarah Orman's avatar

I love this story about a writer supporting another writer, and it reminds me to be grateful for all my writer friends. Thank you!

B Stings's avatar

Thanks. Great bit of literary history

Jane's avatar

Well, now I am very curious to read your book as I have often wondered how artists have supported themselves when it was not immediately obvious.

Kara Cutruzzula's avatar

I love this so much and am dyinggggg to read your book!!!

Mason Currey's avatar

Thank you, Kara!!!!

Bruna Kalil Othero's avatar

Waiting the new book with enthusiasm!!

Mary Martha's avatar

Loved this and looking forward to your book. Was recently in Aix-en-Provence at the Cezanne exhibits and I’ve been thinking of this topic since. Cezanne’s father funded his life & art, and I was thinking how different things are today for artists.

Mason Currey's avatar

Thank you — and I have a section in the new book on Cézanne and his father! Would love to visit Aix-en-Provence one day.

Mary Martha's avatar

Oh wow, that makes me look forward to reading it even more! Aix is definitely worth visiting.

Addie Zierman's avatar

The “sadness of silence” is a real thing. Loved this story.

Mason Currey's avatar

I know, that part is so poignant! Glad you enjoyed this one.

Kristin Posehn's avatar

Adore this story, and only makes me respect Joyce more. How we treat another's work reveals our character, the best artists and writers I know are deeply generous in their admiration regardless of external recognition-or-not, and of that you are a shining example

Mason Currey's avatar

Aw, thank you, Kristin! 🥹

Messiahs I Have Known's avatar

Loved this, Mason. I recently completed "Confessions" after seeing a new documentary about Italo Svevo. It inspired me to take another shot at "Ulysses," which I've been reading along with a great Irish radio dramatization/reading done in 1982 and available online. It, along with an accompanying reader's guide, are the way to go! PS -- I'm new to Substack and posting a series called "Messiahs I Have Known." Check it out...