The Great Upheaval
How many of us have ever thought how nice it would be to have the world stop, just for a moment, to let us get caught up and catch our breath?
It seems our collective desire has come to fruition. We should be more careful what we wish for.
The Covid-19 crisis has created two kinds of people right now; those who are struggling to deal with isolation and boredom, and the front line workers who wish they only had isolation and boredom to deal with.
This social upheaval has granted many people the time and space to stop and assess and take stock. I predict many, many individuals will choose to change careers, change spouses, change cities, or swap rural for urban or vice versa.
Literature is my choice of pastime and the perfect read for our current Covid-19 crisis is Amor Towles’ A Gentleman in Moscow. At thirty years old the gentleman in question is confined to house arrest. Forced to begin his life anew within the confines of a grand hotel he realizes he must master his circumstances or be mastered by them. Inspirational.
Which put me in mind of other books where the hero is confined and challenged by circumstances out of their control;
- Viktor Frankl, Man’s Search for Meaning
- Anne Frank, Diary of a Young Girl
- Henri Charrière, Papillon
- Alexander Dumas, The Count of Monte Cristo
- Yann Martel, The Life of Pi
- Daniel Defoe, Robinson Crusoe
- Emma Donahue, Room
- Diary of a Shut-In.
Okay, I made that last one up, but perhaps journaling is a worthy pastime for those of us who have the luxury of boredom or are spending this time ‘taking stock’.
For those of you working in medical and other essential services, we send our collective appreciation. You might need a different book list.
I would welcome any other suggestions fitting to our collective circumstance, front line or otherwise, we’re all in the same boat.
Today’s image is complements of my friend and neighbour, Joanna Mozdzen. Every day on Facebook she posts her creations with the tagline, ‘Stay Home. Make Art.’ Also inspirational.
Our Book Club read Gentleman from Moscow recently. Loved the book!
Thank you for commenting. Yes, it is a beauty of a book. I very rarely read a book twice, but this was one I re-opened right back to page one as soon as I finished it the first time through.
‘A Gentleman in Moscow’ provides a great example of making the most of isolation. It’s one of the best books I’ve read in recent years.
Agreed. It was the nature of his personality and his manners as a gentleman that provided him with the strength and resourcefulness to make the best of it.
Like you and your two previous responders, I too LOVED A Gentleman in Moscow. And thanks for a great post. Nice way to end Easter Sunday.
Thank you! LOVE getting comments like this!