Influences
Another country heard from Looking at others' noble lists of books that have influenced them, I suppose I ought to be embarrassed, but I find it difficult to be so. And I'm at a loss as to explain why. Perhaps because I truly believe that however much most of us try to hide it, men never really grow up. What was there as a boy is there as a man buried under many layers of accumulated muck--but there nevertheless. Wordworth's "The child is father of the man. . ." is true in so many ways--and the child always remains with the man. Women have observed this, sometimes contemptuously, sometimes indulgently. But there are so many ways (at least I've observed) that it is true and perhaps even, a little, virtuous--so long as one is childlike not childish. And another. And another. And I continue to grow more abashed and want to say--well, if you extended the list, of course. . .But reality--those early influences are pervasive and what I listed ...