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Rivka Galchen

Rivka Galchen Books

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“I was certain she would recover. She had so much strength in her, and spirit. I started making some pickles; I was thinking that many months ahead. The cucumbers were so green and compelling, and I carefully cut away bruises. But Maruschl was gone before the next Tuesday. The baby Katharina died as well within the month. To hear Susanna weeping in an unspeakable misery saying, My baby, my baby, was worse than my own losses. I was willing to give everything and anything to bring the children back. As we waited for Hans to return, there was a part of me that held out the hope that when he returned, so they would too. I dreamed of walking hand in hand with Maruschl. I dreamed even of us arguing, of her growing angry with me, or disappointed, I wanted that for her much more than I wanted to live.”

LossHeartbreakTraumaLoss Of A Child
Book:Everyone Knows Your Mother Is a Witch
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“I have mentioned my patient Harvey, but I have failed to properly discuss him and the odd coincidence, or almost co-incidence, of his having vanished just two days before Rema did. So, actually, most likely not a 'coincidence.' In retrospect I feel confident that the seeds of tragedy were sown in what I had originally misperceived as a (kind of) light comedy of errors.”

WordplayAtmospheric DisturbancesRivka Galchen
Book:Atmospheric Disturbances
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“Scudding is calming work, as it requires all of my attention to not let the knife slip. When I do it, I feel the steady purpose a cat must feel when bathing itself with its coarse tongue. Some of my most peaceful hours have been spent in this way. Outside there could be lightning, wars, or a festival and it would be all the same and nothing to me.”

PeaceCalmPeacefulTranquilityCalmness
Book:Everyone Knows Your Mother Is a Witch
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“The writing process for a short story feels more like field geology, where you keep turning the thing over and over, noting its qualities in detail, hammering at it, putting it near flame, pouring different acids on it, and then finally you figure out what it is, or you just give up and mount it on a ring and have an awkward chunky piece of jewelry that seems weirdly dominating but that you for some reason like. I could be wrong about field geology here.”

GivingFeelsWritingDifferentReasonStoriesSeemsProcessQualityPiecesFiguresFieldsGiving UpDetailsRingsFlamesShort StoryAwkwardWriting ProcessAcidJewelryPouringGeologyDominatingJust Give Up
Author:Rivka Galchen
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