I used to read all the time: biographies and novels were my favorites. Then I stopped. For years, the only books I read were written by Stephen King, because I loved the theme of good versus evil. Now that my neice is no longer a teenager, I found another avid reader in the family. (In addition to my mother and grandmother)
At Christmas, she loaned me a book that she said was one of her all time favorites, called The Awakening. When she did, she informed me that something happened at the end of the book that she considered growth.
I read The Awakening and agreed that it was a beautiful book, particularly relevant to women. The author describes the process of awakening and growth with simplicity, directness, and exquisite precision. But is the surprise ending growth? I'm not so sure. Anyway I was working in a diner at that time and served a woman who was reading. I asked her the title of the book. She said it was The Awakening and that she was reading it a second time.
I was astounded because this book was written in 1899. Controversial and banned for decades afterwards. What makes a book still relevant over 100 years later? Some truth I think. Some soul-level honesty. Perhaps that is also what makes it so beautiful.
