"She hung up without any further information. So that was it. My mom was in a hospital, and I was not allowed to cross the border. Even if I could, I wouldn’t be able to get into the hospital. Maybe she would be discharged soon, I reasoned. I tried messaging her though she was not so responsive on her smartphone. There was only one check; perhaps the phone was switched off."
You capture so well the helplessness so many of us felt during the pandemic, with sick loved ones elsewhere in the world with no way of getting to them (or of getting back if we did). Marie is more isolated than ever...
It's absolutely devastating wanting to be with a loved one at their dire need but not being able to be there. That part struck a chord especially. Poignantly captured, Kathleen!
A very intimate chapter as we follow Marie in her search for the painting and herself, bordering on paranoia fostered by increased isolation. Great writing, Kate!
(Second attempt at commenting. Think my computer just lost the first attempt.)
As others have noted, the sense of isolation that's imparted here is really impressive. An inner spiral.
Even though I wasn't alone during covid, this still brings with it that immediate sense of anxiety and uncertainty, except here we have the added layer of Marie's ongoing quest/mystery.
Favourite line. The use of "sublimate", which is a fantastic work, but even more so when it's absolutely the appropriate word for what's being conveyed.
"Paradoxically in the search to become someone meaningful, I had allowed myself to sublimate, hopefully without a trace except for this letter of explanation when this was all done."
Second favourite line: "What are our emotions anyway but choices of perception?"
The sense of almost hallucinatory isolation is well captured, Kate. I can't imagine how much more difficult lockdown was for single people.
I think for some it was absolutely hell. And although we have all these video devices, it shows even more that need for IRL and human connection.
"She hung up without any further information. So that was it. My mom was in a hospital, and I was not allowed to cross the border. Even if I could, I wouldn’t be able to get into the hospital. Maybe she would be discharged soon, I reasoned. I tried messaging her though she was not so responsive on her smartphone. There was only one check; perhaps the phone was switched off."
You capture so well the helplessness so many of us felt during the pandemic, with sick loved ones elsewhere in the world with no way of getting to them (or of getting back if we did). Marie is more isolated than ever...
Thank you Jeffrey!
It's absolutely devastating wanting to be with a loved one at their dire need but not being able to be there. That part struck a chord especially. Poignantly captured, Kathleen!
A very intimate chapter as we follow Marie in her search for the painting and herself, bordering on paranoia fostered by increased isolation. Great writing, Kate!
(Second attempt at commenting. Think my computer just lost the first attempt.)
As others have noted, the sense of isolation that's imparted here is really impressive. An inner spiral.
Even though I wasn't alone during covid, this still brings with it that immediate sense of anxiety and uncertainty, except here we have the added layer of Marie's ongoing quest/mystery.
Favourite line. The use of "sublimate", which is a fantastic work, but even more so when it's absolutely the appropriate word for what's being conveyed.
"Paradoxically in the search to become someone meaningful, I had allowed myself to sublimate, hopefully without a trace except for this letter of explanation when this was all done."
Second favourite line: "What are our emotions anyway but choices of perception?"