Life of Pi was my mother’s favorite book. She read and re-read it until she couldn’t read, then she had me read it to her, and also got it in audio. Her intense love of it was only partly because it had a tiger in it; it was mostly because of Pi’s hard-won and deliberate embrace of the narrative of a God who is in control of all.

I’m just as devoted to Piranesi, which I’ve now read six times. I’ve just downloaded the audiobook to my phone. What I love about Piranese is his boundless pleasure in a situation that, to be honest, would drive most people round the twist but sounds pretty damn good to me. ANYWAY, like Pi, his attitude sustains and enriches him, and I love living in his skin. Actually, his attitude is very much like the one my therapist encouraged me to cultivate in order to stave off the despair and rage more appropriate to this world at large. Piranesi’s most representative statement:

The beauty of the House is immeasurable; its Kindness infinite.

This post is part of Linda G. Hill’s weekly blog hop, One-Liner Wednesday. If you have a one-liner or just like them, follow the link.

A WRITING PROMPT FROM ME TO YOU: A tiger in water.

MA