Welcome to Myth Takes, a newsletter with musings on Sisyphean tasks, Herculean labors, and other unnecessarily classically inflected thoughts on literature, culture, parenting, and gender by me, Donna Zuckerberg.
I just found you through Lyz Lenz and am reading your posts. I love this quote from your grad application: "My main interest was “the literary use of myth” and “how authors take advantage of existing mythological tradition to tell their own unique story with its own complexities and meaning.”3 But I don't understand why you now find that "cringe." I think it's a fascinating perspective! Rather a graduate-level "Steal Like an Artist" (Austin Kleon). Or the literary idea that there are a limited number of plot lines. Or. Anyway, I don't think it's cringe at all. Have you read "Lab Girl" by Hope Jahren?
Welcome! I had so much fun talking to Lyz for her podcast. I think I have a hard time reading any sentences I wrote more than a few years ago without finding them cringeworthy, but I definitely am still interested in the ideas I wanted to explore in that personal statement. LOVE the idea of a grad school-inflected "Steal Like an Artist" - Austin Kleon's work is phenomenal. I haven't read Lab Girl, but it's definitely on my list. I'm always looking for recommendations!
In that case, “Lessons in Chemistry”! (If I were still in school I’d write a paper comparing the academic experiences of the two women. Sure it’s memoir vs. fiction, but so much in common.)
That one I have read! In fact, I mentioned in an earlier newsletter (https://donnazuckerberg.substack.com/p/some-perfect-things-i-read-this-year) that about a year ago I finally got out of a long reading drought, and Lessons in Chemistry was the very first of those hundred books I read. I loved it and recommend it so often.
Donna, I’m so happy you’re doing this! I was an avid Eidolon reader back in the day and I’ve missed it terribly. Happy to have another way to enjoy your writing, and looking forward to watching this space ☺️
I just found you through Lyz Lenz and am reading your posts. I love this quote from your grad application: "My main interest was “the literary use of myth” and “how authors take advantage of existing mythological tradition to tell their own unique story with its own complexities and meaning.”3 But I don't understand why you now find that "cringe." I think it's a fascinating perspective! Rather a graduate-level "Steal Like an Artist" (Austin Kleon). Or the literary idea that there are a limited number of plot lines. Or. Anyway, I don't think it's cringe at all. Have you read "Lab Girl" by Hope Jahren?
Welcome! I had so much fun talking to Lyz for her podcast. I think I have a hard time reading any sentences I wrote more than a few years ago without finding them cringeworthy, but I definitely am still interested in the ideas I wanted to explore in that personal statement. LOVE the idea of a grad school-inflected "Steal Like an Artist" - Austin Kleon's work is phenomenal. I haven't read Lab Girl, but it's definitely on my list. I'm always looking for recommendations!
In that case, “Lessons in Chemistry”! (If I were still in school I’d write a paper comparing the academic experiences of the two women. Sure it’s memoir vs. fiction, but so much in common.)
That one I have read! In fact, I mentioned in an earlier newsletter (https://donnazuckerberg.substack.com/p/some-perfect-things-i-read-this-year) that about a year ago I finally got out of a long reading drought, and Lessons in Chemistry was the very first of those hundred books I read. I loved it and recommend it so often.
Donna, I’m so happy you’re doing this! I was an avid Eidolon reader back in the day and I’ve missed it terribly. Happy to have another way to enjoy your writing, and looking forward to watching this space ☺️