Upstate, a new novel by the literary critic James Wood, asks readers to consider a fundamental question: can one think one’s way into happiness? The novel grew partly out of the state of mind Wood was in after his mother’s death in 2014. But then I would also think, OK, so if we removed the religiosity, would she overnight become a happy pagan? Certain things ran themselves and then certain things decisively didn’t, and the fact you’re not a raving lunatic takes effort. It can’t just be sitting around, thinking about Kant.”Facebook Twitter Pinterest James Wood with Claire Messud, his wife.

Source: The Guardian March 02, 2018 12:00 UTC