Runaway: Stories by Alice MunroMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
Last year before Christmas I heard a story on NPR about Alice Munro and one of her books of short stories. I had read Munro's stories in the New Yorker, but for some reason it was the words read aloud on the radio that made me file away her name as someone I wanted to read. Of course, my to-read book list in my mind is long and constantly adjusting. But I finally got around to starting a book of hers and, from the second I picked it up, I could not put it down, but did not want it to end. Alice Munro, just from this one book, I believe could be one of my favorite authors.
While reading the stories in Runaway I would think, "Oh, I just love the way she chooses words." Two minutes later, I would think to myself, "No, it is really the themes and characters I love. She gets to the core of the human condition." And other times it was simply the little towns and homes and images she painted. Ultimately, I think it she is a universally great author. Although I am so taken by her writing, in some ways the term author does not seem to describe well-enough her mastery of words and prose. As I read, I underlined, wrote in the columns, and studied it as if I were reading it for one of my English classes in undergrad. I would love to be assigned to write critical essays on any of these stories. I just wanted to digest it and keep it for myself.
Some of Munro's recurring themes are central themes for me personally --- the balance between spirituality and rationality, aloneness versus community, what it is to be good, what it is to embrace this life, and chance turning points. Plus, her stories take place in Canada which I have a certain fondness for. I can see the Vancouver waterfront, Stanley park, driving through small towns like Kamloops, and the beautiful Rockies in the Banff area. It made me want to go the east coast as well.
Out of all of the stories, the one I think that I might carry with me more than anything is Silence. It articulates perfectly one of my deepest fears. When I read it, I literally switched to shallow breathing and later to deep dismay. It was not so much at the story that was told, but the fact that it brought forth one fear that I generally push right below consciousness. While I continue to process this story and the feeling it stirred in me, I take some relief (comfort?) in that Munro understands this fear. And somehow, reading Munro's interpretation allows me to put language to my fear which removes some of its power. A gift I am thankful for.
Anyways, I have a feeling I am going to be reading a lot of Munro over the next year as I am really sad to be finished reading this book (although I am not completely finished with the book itself since I am still processing many of the stories). I also think I will be gifting this book to many of my reading friends and family during the holidays. I am happy to have discovered a new author to add to my favorites.
