Court of Memory

Court of Memory is one of the finest memoirs I've ever read. James McConkey is an incredibly accomplished writer and thinker of great grace and empathy. I've been a voracious reader my whole life, and only discovered McConkey this winter, in a book about crafting memoirs edited by William Zinnser. Although he's a professor at Cornell, McConkey seems to be little known, and this is a terrible loss--he seems to me to be one of our finest living American writers. If I could single-handedly change this situation, Iwould!

I discovered James McConkey's work years ago when I heard his essay "Stranger At the Crossroads" -- which I believe is included in this book -- read aloud (the reader was either Isaiah Sheffer of Symphony Space in NYC, or Garrison Keillor on his "Prairie Home Companion" radio show -- can't remember). "Stranger" was and remains one of the most moving things I've ever read, and it made me an instant McConkey fan. I wish his books were easier to find! He deserves much more attention, and is definitely worth anyone's time. A highly recommended read!

McConkey's collected stories brought together under the title Court of Memory is one of the finest examples of American literature. McConkey draws on his own life, or as he put it, uses himself and his family and friends as characters in his stories. His language is both rich and simple: his stories reflect the inner life of a deeply sympathetic human being. After reading them your own life, loves, and friendships seem deeper and more significant. He never whines, he never rants. But the beauty of landscapes, of seemingly casual events, will forever be more real to you after you have read this book.