The Wilderness by Angela Flournoy

The Wilderness by Angela Flournoy

As I take the time to write this, I had just purchased this novel, The Wilderness by Angela Flournoy. It’s been over a year maybe two since I have read a novel and I’m looking forward to reading this one. I’ve had very little time with my 72-hour work weeks six days a week to fit in a novel, and when I do it’s a slow read. With what little time I have I’m focused on reading a writing poetry. I didn’t purchase it because it was a Kirkus Prize Finalist, in fact I’ve never heard of Angela before. I purchased this book because of what Angela said in an interview with Brad Listi on the Other People Podcast as follows:

"…also, what is it going to take for people to understand that community is bigger than just your friends. Community is bigger than just the people who look like you or who worship like you, but that there has to be a more expansive view or we’re all just in trouble."

from Brad Listi's podcast Other People & Angela Flournoy

This struck me deeply and was such a relief for me to hear in today’s climate. I can’t say I always thought this way because growing up in the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s community was much smaller in Canada, and I do miss that community—on the flip side I was raised by strong liberals who taught me to respect and have compassion for all and left that community behind except for the positive outlook to move forward with just a memory.  I’m not sure I recognize liberals of today and supporters of whatever other beliefs out there are—so far to the edge of their respective communities everything seems out of touch. And maybe I’m just old and I’m thinking like the stereotypical old person of today’s society. As a late boomer I really thought I was the only one to think like this or realize this or see this or even understand this. I’ve tried to convey this message in some of my poems, but I don’t think I was able to articulate it as clearly as Angela did in this interview and do fear my poems will come off with the wrong slant in some eyes/ears, mainly because of the reflection on nostalgia. (a good editor is maybe what I need, hint hint)—I’m looking forward to September 13, 2026, when my copy arrives with the hopes it will give me some guidance along my literary journey this late in my life and breath. It will be a slow read with my time constraint, but I’m sure it will be well worth it.

Note; I sincerely had a vision of Deja vu writing this…in high school we had two fraternities I was invited to both, I wouldn’t join either, but I remained friends, social with all—in or out. I wasn’t old then.