I’ve recommended MOTHERLAND to many and savored this essay. How terribly sad that one paragraph about events of a century ago could cause a family to turn their backs on one of their own. This is the defensive brittleness of shame—of people feeling obscurely tainted by the actions of others who may be long dead. Elissa has carved out her own identity, at great cost. The others, not so much.
"It took me a decade to understand that we are the storytelling species; it is what we do to make sense of our world, to metabolize it, to fathom it." Thank you for this, Elissa.
I tried to remark to my pulmonologist about the association between grief and the lungs in Chinese medicine, and -- hoo-boy -- his boredom and irritation snatched a few more months off my lifespan. Thank you for this essay; I feel I have finally been heard! PERMISSION
My year younger brother (I am 74 years old) no longer speaks to me. To know that there is healing even for these heartrending wounds is truly a balm. Thank you. PERMISSION
Now I’m even more eager to get my hands on Permission. Elissa’s writing is always layered with such a staggering array of heart and body and brilliance. It fills my every sense. So damn good.
Oh my goodness, this essay touched me on so many levels I can barely breathe as I write this...so many parallels to my life, images of a past hurt like this, from my cousin too, almost the exact same words hurled my way, the shock, the hurt, the sudden lung, breathing ailments, so many memories are flooding in right now...thank you for sharing this essay with us. I need to find everything she's written now.
"PERMISSION" would be the perfect gift as my 64th birthday is February 17th
Thank you for bringing Elissa back across my radar. I read Motherland almost a year ago. Such deeply moving writing. All the rich language and metaphor in her griefy lungs is so intense. I can feel it in my own chest right now reading this. Isn’t that what we crave in a someone’s writing? I’m. right.there.
PERMISSION (and fingers crossed!) I love any mother/daughter memoir and just bought MOTHERLAND. Her latest book will be required reading for my Hopkins students.
Elissa’s writing is exquisite. Breath and truth are what carry us through every difficult part of life. Thank you for sharing this. I’m eager to read her new book! Permission
I can relate to this heart breaking story all too well. I haven’t talked to my younger brother in years because he felt like we abandoned him when we moved out of state. As I tried to assure him that wasn’t the case but he still hasn’t talked to me. Thank you so much for sharing this story. Permission.
I’ve recommended MOTHERLAND to many and savored this essay. How terribly sad that one paragraph about events of a century ago could cause a family to turn their backs on one of their own. This is the defensive brittleness of shame—of people feeling obscurely tainted by the actions of others who may be long dead. Elissa has carved out her own identity, at great cost. The others, not so much.
I agree with all of this Rona! And Motherland is such an exceptional book!
Thank you Rona 🙏🏻💗
"It took me a decade to understand that we are the storytelling species; it is what we do to make sense of our world, to metabolize it, to fathom it." Thank you for this, Elissa.
Such a beautiful line! I'm glad you enjoyed the essay, Bethany!
💗💗💗
I tried to remark to my pulmonologist about the association between grief and the lungs in Chinese medicine, and -- hoo-boy -- his boredom and irritation snatched a few more months off my lifespan. Thank you for this essay; I feel I have finally been heard! PERMISSION
Oooooh, that made me laugh out loud, Elizabeth!! I've been there! Glad you enjoyed the essay!
My year younger brother (I am 74 years old) no longer speaks to me. To know that there is healing even for these heartrending wounds is truly a balm. Thank you. PERMISSION
I'm so sorry, Sheila. I also have strained family dynamics. It's painful. I'm glad you enjoyed Elissa's beautiful essay! ❤️
Thank you-I’m so sorry. It’s very hard, and complicated.
I just got an email at 1:45 AM from Bookshop that my copy of Permission is on its way. Huzzah!
Last weekend I nested in my bed and read Reading the Waves. This weekend, I plan to do the same with Permission.
Oh, that's wonderful, Asha!! I think you know that Lidia is the February interview!! Glad you enjoyed the essay!!
Thank you-
What a treasure you give to the grievers of lost relationships and love. Cannot wait to read PERMISSION
So beautifully put, Carol! I agree! Glad you enjoyed it!
Thank you-
Powerful‼️💔the family stories we carry are so important to share… it is how we know ourselves and are known🙏🏼Permission
Yes to all of this, Judith!! Some are hard to tell. I so admire Elissa for sharing hers with such grace and care! ❤️
Thank you 🙏🏻
Now I’m even more eager to get my hands on Permission. Elissa’s writing is always layered with such a staggering array of heart and body and brilliance. It fills my every sense. So damn good.
Yes to all of this, Kate! So glad you enjoyed it!!
Oh my goodness, this essay touched me on so many levels I can barely breathe as I write this...so many parallels to my life, images of a past hurt like this, from my cousin too, almost the exact same words hurled my way, the shock, the hurt, the sudden lung, breathing ailments, so many memories are flooding in right now...thank you for sharing this essay with us. I need to find everything she's written now.
"PERMISSION" would be the perfect gift as my 64th birthday is February 17th
I'm so glad this resonated with you Deborah! And everything Elissa has written is this astoundingly beautiful! You're in the raffle. Fingers crossed!
Thank you for bringing Elissa back across my radar. I read Motherland almost a year ago. Such deeply moving writing. All the rich language and metaphor in her griefy lungs is so intense. I can feel it in my own chest right now reading this. Isn’t that what we crave in a someone’s writing? I’m. right.there.
PERMISSION
Oooh, I love this, Golden! So true. And: "griefy lungs" Beautiful! I'm glad you enjoyed the piece!
Thank you 🙏🏻
So magnificent, so heart-wrenching. I held my breath as Elissa’s lungs held her grief and exhaled, finally. Can’t wait to read both books. Permission!
I'm so glad you enjoyed it, Stefanie!
Thank you-
PERMISSION (and fingers crossed!) I love any mother/daughter memoir and just bought MOTHERLAND. Her latest book will be required reading for my Hopkins students.
Lucky students! And I'm glad you enjoyed the essay, Cathy!
Thank you Cathy-
Elissa’s writing is exquisite. Breath and truth are what carry us through every difficult part of life. Thank you for sharing this. I’m eager to read her new book! Permission
I'm so glad you enjoyed it, Stephanie! And yes to breath and truth!!
Thank you-
I can relate to this heart breaking story all too well. I haven’t talked to my younger brother in years because he felt like we abandoned him when we moved out of state. As I tried to assure him that wasn’t the case but he still hasn’t talked to me. Thank you so much for sharing this story. Permission.
Oooooh, that's tough. I hope he is able to see things more clearly soon. And I'm glad you enjoyed Elissa's essay! ❤️
So sorry to hear—
I am so looking forward to this....
Permission !
I'm so glad, britt! I think you will enjoy it!
Thank you-
Painfully lovely. Heart wrenching.
Permission.
Yes to all of this!
Thank you for reading-