Getting Personal: Selected Essays

A wonderful collection of personal essays from Phillip Lopate, considered a master of the genre. Very engaging stories written in a very accessible style that belies the craft behind them.The relating of his experience producing "Uncle Vanya" with young schoolchildren completely fascinated me. His stories regarding his family are equally engaging. An essay about a fellow teacher who commits suicide has rarely left my thoughts since I read it two weeks ago.It seems cliched to say that the stories work on a variety of levels. However, while reading the Uncle Vanya story I found myself fascinated not only with Chekhov's play, but how we underestimate children, how we relate to children, how schools educate children, the empowering nature of theater, etc. The essay is so rich with ideas that it was literally inspiring.I found myself unable to put the book down. As it got later and later, I would tell myself "just one more". I'm only sorry that it took me so long to discover him. Thanks to his brother Leonard for having Phillip on his radio show. I've found a shelfmate for my Thurber and Benchley anthologies.