Next week the clan will be heading up north to family camp again, this time with a literary twist. My husband’s offhand observation that the camp was located in the heart of Hemingway country led to a proposal that we read some of his short stories in advance, and discuss them while we’re there.
There has been some confusion within the family about exactly which stories we are supposed to read; so far I haven’t had time to sift through all the emails to try to figure it out. Furthermore, we all seem to be reading from different collections and editions. Steve got stuck with a fat library paperback with teensy print, teensier margins, and an unpleasantly stiff library-reinforced cover.
I, on the other hand, lucked out with this gorgeous Scribner’s Modern Standard Authors collection, which I found on our very own bookshelf! Similar to a Modern Library book, it’s got thick creamy pages and beautiful typography: a joy to hold in your hands, pure pleasure to read. Even better, it has an intriguing inscription on the inside cover, and — in strange contrast to the inscription — this card fell out when I flipped through the pages. Who are Dan and Martha? For whom did they write that funny inscription? Was the card theirs, too? And above all, how did this book end up on our shelf?
I read four of the stories last week. Stay tuned for the gory details, coming soon in a separate post.
5 Comments
How intriguing. I love finding old notes in books.
Somewhere in our home is a copy of Emmanuel Tov’s Textual Criticism of the Hebrew Bible with a Victoria’s Secret receipt in it for a bookmark. It is the receipt from the first time my husband bought me something from that store, during the months he was studying for exams. He insists on keeping the receipt for sentimental reasons, and thinks that is the proper place, for reasons known only to himself.
Whenever we die and pass on our library, that one may raise a few questions.
Ha ha, that’s excellent! Reminds me of this, only much better. (And mine was a library book, so it won’t get passed on anyway.)
I think I know who Dan & Martha are. I won’t give away the secret as long as you’re enjoying contemplating the mystery, but I’m guessing your next-door neighbor can answer all your questions about the inscription.
Here are a couple of hints in case you want to explore the mystery on your own: Dan is an especially appropriate figure to discuss and revere if you are a blogger who loves books. Bookworm grew up a block away from his longtime A2 residence.
P.S. I don’t know which Hemingway short stories to read, either, but there seems to be consensus around Big, Two-hearted River.
Dan & Martha… Dan & Martha… Gimme a hint? One block away in which direction???? You know, I had a feeling the book came from your side of the family, but I can’t ask the neighbor because she’s at the pool with Lena right now. :)
I believe they lived at the corner of S. Forest and Wells. This list of publications will allow you to identify Dan if you choose to end the mystery:
“Hooked on Books” (1966), a revolutionary affirmation of the transforming power of literacy that has gone through successive editions and still influences teachers, parents and students to believe that reading can change children’s lives. He also wrote the New York Times bestseller “The Naked Children” (1971, new edition in 1996), documenting the implementation of his literacy program in a Washington, D.C., inner-city public junior high school; and “Paul and I Discover America” (1975), examining patriotism, violence, tragic loss and hope, and their transformations from his generation to his son’s.
I like the new design! I hear Joey has a new look, too. Can’t wait to see everyone!