A Primer for Forgetting - But Is It a Primer for Repairing?

The more people you're asking to forget the messier things become.

A Primer for Forgetting: Getting Past the Past

By: Lewis Hyde Published: 2019 384 Pages

Briefly, what is this book about?

The necessity of forgetting, as conveyed through a broad collection of stories, essays, quotes, reflections, etc. It's more atmospheric than prescriptive.

What's the author's angle?

This is an important writer, doing important writing, lauded as important by other writers, teaching at an important university (for a time Harvard). None of this is necessarily bad, and it can be quite good, but you should know what you're in for.

Who should read this book?

David Foster Wallace (who I greatly admire) called Hyde "One of our true superstars of nonfiction" though he can't have been talking about this book since it was published long after he was dead. If his statement or anything in the last section piques your interest, then perhaps you will enjoy this book. I'm sorry I can't be more specific. It's that kind of book.

Specific thoughts: An attempt to eat his cake and have it.