visiting the james - jan 19, 2007

it was a sunny wintry day. i went with juzi, whom i got to know through cnd. the cemetery was beautiful, quiet and receptive. the flowers were bought from a nearby supermarket; the idea, though, was prompted by another friend.

i have read only two books by the brothers: william's psychology (jimmy) long time ago and henry's the portrait of a lady a few years back.

"jimmy" didn't leave me much impression, because, for the more scientific part, my knowledge was much more advanced by training; and for the more personal aspect, i didn't connect with my limited capacity for understanding at the time.

"the portrait" , on the other hand, is one of my all-time favorites:

"Rarely does one get to read a story that touches just the "right' emotional pulses. Rarely does one gets to read something so elegantly written. I was delighted by the carefully depicted characters and deeply impressed by the author's sophisticated mind. Life doesn't look a bit easier even when human beings are free of material burdens; life doesn't look much different either. I was slightly disappointed, however, by the unexpected and abrupt turn of events towards the end of the book. "

"knowing them" was still earlier, when i first read a sketch about the james family in "touched with fire" (by kay redfield jamison), relating to their remarkable lives of accomplishment and painful struggles against severe mental distresses (pic. 1).

since then, they have often been in my thoughts and in discussions with my net friends. i was glad to have had this chance to visit them.