Elizabeth George: A Great Deliverance

So, I'm always thinking I "should" read serious literature (have I mentioned what's-his-name's Seven Types of Ambiguity?) and stuff that contributes somehow to my professional development and growth. But what I so long for is a really good, British-feeling murder mystery. And my friend Zee introduced me to Elizabeth George. She's fun, she's a good read, and her detective character, Inspector Lynley, is fascinating and charismatic and just what I want in a good mystery. And how have I missed George all this time. Goodness knows how many times I've been flipping through PBS's Mystery and seen bits and pieces of the Inspector Lynley adaptations. So why didn't I pay more attention? Why didn't I pick up any of the novels? It always puzzles me when there's this great literary "find" that I've been missing out on. It's just like, "How did this happen?" But it's also kinda wonderful, right? Because it's like, "Ooooo, I have a whole series to look forward to!" It's great.

Here's the other thing about George that's happened recently. So this was maybe three weeks ago. I'd finished A Great Deliverance, and was all excited about George. And Dolce Carina (my soulmate and inspiration, you know ;) called and asked if I was interested in going to a conference with her in the fall. And I said yes for so many reasons. And when I looked at the website for the conference, George was scheduled as the keynote speaker. Kismet, I say. I say "Kismet" rather tongue in cheek, although I really do believe in "synchronicity"--maybe that's another post of it's own. But here, again, the universe, God really, is giving me what I need, the nudge, that direction, the encouragement. And so this fall, it's off to Calgary for Elizabeth George and DC and "The Yellow Wallpaper" and feminist theory, and disability and illness studies. And I so feel like I'm doing what I need to be doing with myself and my reading and my work and my career. And, at least for now, the work (not the money, not the recognition, not the step to tenure, although all those things seem nice) but the work is its own reward. My new mantra is this: let the work be its own reward. It sums up so much about what I'm trying to live. And maybe that, also, deserves its own post.