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A review by enoughgaiety
The Road Past Altamont by Gabrielle Roy
3.0
A little slow getting started, but the final story is exquisite and deeply moving.
How well I remember that year of my life, the last perhaps when I lived quite close to people and things, not yet somewhat withdrawn, as happens inevitably when one yields to the intention to set things down in words. Everything still existed simply for me that year, because of the precise and reasonable duties that stitched me to life.... Seldom since then have I been able to return completely to this or to see things and human beings otherwise than through word, once I had learned to use them as fragile bridges for exploration.... I became by degrees a sort of watcher over thoughts and human beings, and this passion, however sincere, uses up the insouciance that is needed for life.
How well I remember that year of my life, the last perhaps when I lived quite close to people and things, not yet somewhat withdrawn, as happens inevitably when one yields to the intention to set things down in words. Everything still existed simply for me that year, because of the precise and reasonable duties that stitched me to life.... Seldom since then have I been able to return completely to this or to see things and human beings otherwise than through word, once I had learned to use them as fragile bridges for exploration.... I became by degrees a sort of watcher over thoughts and human beings, and this passion, however sincere, uses up the insouciance that is needed for life.