I am male and my monsters were two very cruel women, Franciscan nuns who ran the Catholic parochial school I attended for nine years from 1951 to 1960. I’ve been told to try to understand them, that they were likely daughters forced into the sisterhood by their families. On an abstract level I can understand that, but that does not help at all with the problems I was left to deal with. Even at 78 I catch myself in behaviors that make sense only in light of what they did to us.
Wow - fantastic interview. May we all be brave enough to be uncomfortable in our writing. (Catching up on bookmarked Substacks!)
Yes, I’m still working on that bravery!
The scary, uncomfortable writing is what stands the test of time. Great interview!
Thanks so much! Yes, it certainly sticks with you...
I am male and my monsters were two very cruel women, Franciscan nuns who ran the Catholic parochial school I attended for nine years from 1951 to 1960. I’ve been told to try to understand them, that they were likely daughters forced into the sisterhood by their families. On an abstract level I can understand that, but that does not help at all with the problems I was left to deal with. Even at 78 I catch myself in behaviors that make sense only in light of what they did to us.
Yes, monsters certainly come in all forms and stick with us!