"Dandelion wine.
The words were summer on the tongue. The wine was summer caught and stoppered. And now that Douglas knew, he really knew he was alive, and moved turning through the world to touch and see it all, it was only right and proper that some of his new knowledge, some of this special vintage day would be sealed away for opening on a January day with snow falling fast and the sun unseen for weeks or months and perhaps some of the miracle by then forgotten and in need of renewal. Since this was going to be a summer of unguessed wonders, he wanted it all salvaged and labeled so that any time he wished, he might tiptoe down in this dank twilight and reach up his fingertips."
"Want me to read it to you?" I offered.
"I wish you would."
So the two of us disappeared into Ray Bradbury's sweet summer's June, and we each became that 12-year-old boy who had just come to the realization that he is truly ALIVE.
“Tom!” Then quieter. “Tom... does everyone in the world... know he’s alive?”… I mustn’t forget, I’m alive, I know I’m alive, I mustn’t forget it tonight or tomorrow or the day after that..."[A] couple weeks ago, I found out I was alive. Boy, did I hop around. And then, just last week in the movies, I found out I’d have to die someday. I never thought of that, really."
"Don't you just love this book?" I asked Bridger, mid-chapter.
"I do when you read it."
Dandelion Wine cannot be skimmed and rushed. It has to be sipped and savored. I may have hooked Bridger that day. Here's to bridging the generation gap and strengthening relationships with good books. My days as a read-aloud mom sped by too quickly. Now my focus turns to the next generation: grandchildren!
I hear ya'. In our house, my husband was the reader who put you to sleep and I was the one who made you love books. I love being read to and listening to books of all kinds. Never occurred to me to do this with Dandelion Wine but what a perfect book to read to a now grown child. You write so beautifully about this I swear I could smell my musty old copy of the story from long ago.
ReplyDeleteEven your comments evoke emotion. You are such a gifted writer; I'm so glad you're blogging daily again, in spite of all that is going on in your life. I wish you peace and happiness as you continue your journey toward published authorhood.
DeleteReading aloud is powerful. Just today I shared some of my high school students' work (short stories, sci-fi) with their class. Granted, I can fix a lot with just my voice, but the same thing always happens. The students are transfixed, amazed that their fellow classmate wrote what I am reading. And the writer, once he or she is able to breathe, is astonished to see how much everyone enjoys the story, their story.
ReplyDeleteI pause and wait.
"No, no!" The protests always come. "What happens next! We can't stand it. Keep reading."
The writer is both aghast and pleased: "Really? Do you *really* want more?"
Yes, reading aloud is powerful stuff. Thanks, Denise, for the reminder.
By the way, we listen as a class to Leonard Nimoy read Bradbury's "There Will Come Soft Rains." Every year students are struck speechless.
Ooh, I want to find that very piece now. Thank you for your thoughtful response. You are such a wonderful teacher, Laura. Your students are very lucky.
Delete"It's not so much what we read as how we read it." Perhaps this is why I am appreciating audio books so much now, particularly on road trips, or when I go for a walk. Even with my own writing, I find reading it aloud brings so much more to the story--and sometimes I surprise myself. I don't recall being read to when I was younger. I think I missed out!
ReplyDeleteCrystal, you always leave such thoughtful responses on our blogs from the Webher group. Thank you for taking that time. I'm glad someone is reading to you now.
DeleteA great reminder of how wonderful it makes one feel! I may have to just go read aloud to myself at the moment! What a lovely post!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Via Marie, for stopping by TWICE to post a blogment. I hope you enjoy your reading!
DeleteYou've made me want to revisit this book. Even better, listen to it. Is there anything better than reading to our kids?
ReplyDeleteI loved those story times so much. Thanks for checking in today, and taking the time to blogment.
DeleteDefinitely peaks my interest, I must go find this book, perhaps I'll read it to my dog (closest thing to a child I have at the moment lol).
ReplyDeleteYour sorrow of losing your children to adulthood, contrasted with the anticipation of being a grandmother really stood out to me. What a great example of how we as humans are constantly moving from one stage of life to the next. I hope those grandchildren are a wonderful adventure full of moments of sharing, whether it be a good book, or just a hug.
Great post Denise! Thank you for sharing.
I hope your dog appreciates your efforts. Thank you for your thoughtful response.
DeleteMy friends and I used to get together for meetings we called, "Storytime." It was our sort of book club, but we'd sit in a circle with blankets and pillows, sipping hot chocolate, and read aloud. (We had rules, too- like, no eating while you're the reader.) It gave the books we read more personality, for me. And better memories than just sitting on my own, reading in silence. Sometimes I read out loud on my own, just to feel the story better. Thanks for reminding me of those memories. :) And having only read Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451, I'll have to check this one out.
ReplyDeleteYour story time sounds so fun! What a great idea. Yes, if your only exposure to Bradbury was Fahrenheit, you REALLY should check out Dandelion Wine.
DeleteThis: "I'm a big believer that it's not so much WHAT we read as HOW we read it." Yaaaaaaasssssssss!!!! I so much agree! I love reading aloud! My unpartner and I read aloud some of the Harry Potter books as they came out, or we'd read aloud on road trips. (This was before Audible and when audiobooks were still expensive.) And Bradbury is one of my long-time-and-forever faves! "There Will Come Soft Rains" was in my senior English textbook in high school and I was just done for. And if you want to shred your heart a little, read "All Summer in a Day." Man, this post made me nostalgic.
ReplyDeleteOh, Ros, thank you for directing me to more Ray Bradbury. You are ever the teacher. Thank you so much for all of your thoughtful blogments.
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