Fascinating interview, Lauren. Thanks for sharing. Reminds me a bit of Albert Schweitzer’s driving philosophy of developing “reverence for life” - that is, reverence for all creation in the universe, from our fellow human beings to nature itself. I don’t know Powers’ spiritual or religious background, and those given his affinity for Percy. Anyone care to chime in about Powers?
Of what use is the writer or poet unless he attains a new vision of life? It is precisely why we read Dr Percy the innovator who helps to form the great chain of creative literature. He didn’t sit comfortably down in the ruins and piece together shards. Richard Powers too speaks to our human horizon and predicament and brings in
Dr Percy to show how humans must “hold the gain” in their cultivated souls.