This is a collection of micro-essays on being human, on being "The Way We Are". It is an apt title. John Fraser, in his foreword to the book, describes this type of work as a "visserism", and says: "more 'hmmms' have been uttered at the end of a Visser column than after anything else published in the magazine [Saturday Night]." That perfectly describes these wandering explorations. It is an unpredictable and eclectic mix of topics, such as High Heels, Greetings, The Fireplace, Christmas Pudding, Crossword Puzzles, Vacations, Bells, etc. In just several brief pages (always accompanied by several references, for brevity does not excuse a lack of academic rigor), she is able to convey concisely why a particular subject is of interest, and outlines its appropriate etymology, anthropologic signficance, and evolution into modern usage, replete with interesting anecdotal examples. She places the subject in its ancient history and describes how it has echoed through the ages and sometimes achieved a symbolism. It is a marriage of enthusiastic curiosity with a love of research.
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This is a collection of micro-essays on being human, on being "The Way We Are". It is an apt title. John Fraser, in his foreword to the book, describes this type of work as a "visserism", and says: "more 'hmmms' have been uttered at the end of a Visser column than after anything else published in the magazine [Saturday Night]." That perfectly describes these wandering explorations. It is an unpredictable and eclectic mix of topics, such as High Heels, Greetings, The Fireplace, Christmas Pudding, Crossword Puzzles, Vacations, Bells, etc. In just several brief pages (always accompanied by several references, for brevity does not excuse a lack of academic rigor), she is able to convey concisely why a particular subject is of interest, and outlines its appropriate etymology, anthropologic signficance, and evolution into modern usage, replete with interesting anecdotal examples. She places the subject in its ancient history and describes how it has echoed through the ages and sometimes achieved a symbolism. It is a marriage of enthusiastic curiosity with a love of research.
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Both Mr. Awesome and I have read it, now. We both enjoyed it. It's a collection of essays printed in the Globe and Mail in the 1990's. Ms Visser has an interesting take on the world, and looks at everyday objects and rituals with an eye to its deeper meaning and symbolism. I don't always agree with her interpretations, but it did make me look around myself to ask why we do what we do.
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This volume is a collection of newspaper columns written by Margaret Visser, containing interesting historical facts and the author's own keen observations about ordinary things in life. Each column is brief and entertaining, but I generally felt unsatisfied after reading each one, wishing that there was more. If you're new to Margaret Visser, I'd recommend reading instead Much Depends on Dinner or The Rituals of Dinner. ( )

http://tamaranth.blogspot.com/2008/12/47-way-we-are-margaret-visser.html ( )