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Mary Vermillion's avatar

I am reading a wonderful nonfiction book — “A Walk in the Park: The True Story of a Spectacular Misadventure in the Grand Canyon” by Kevin Fedarko. As has so regularly happened this year, W&P is on my mind as I read passages like this: “Sooner or later, every difficult journey collides against a moment that crystallizes the imperative of accepting that the outcome of any ambitious undertaking can neither be ordained nor engineered by its participants, and that the heart of an odyssey is reached — and its deeper truths begin to reveal themselves — only after the illusion of control is permitted to fall away and disappear into the gathering night, like a loose pebble over a cliff.”

Fedarko’s thoughts remind me of Tolstoy’s beliefs. But mostly — as my journeys through the Grand Canyon and W&P near their ends — I am grateful to embrace our deeper truths. Love and kindness chief among them. I’m in awe of how Tolstoy delivered us to this place. I especially admire his rendering of Kutuzov, who joins my list of favorites in the book. Thanks again, Simon, for thoughtfully guiding us this week. Onward!

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Reflections-Claire Milne's avatar

I feel for Sonya in these chapters. I suspect she must feel excluded from the friendship that has formed between Natasha and Mayra and she cannot be spared from being upset at Petya's death. I hope we learn soon how she is faring.

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