First Berkshire WordFest a success

The inaugural Berkshire WordFest, the weekend-long literary festival at The Mount in Lenox, came to a close Sunday afternoon with a final poetry reading on the terrace. I spent all day Saturday and most of Sunday at The Mount, attending two readings, two interviews, two poetry readings, and three panel discussions, as well as a lovely cocktail party.

 

The festival was a huge success; the writers who participated were interesting and informative, the events ran smoothly and were well-attended, and the gardens looked particularly beautiful, an ideal setting for all the marvelous talk of reading and writing.

 

My top ten list of moments from the Berkshire Word Fest:

1.       The charming Elinor Lipman reading from a work-in-progress, her new novel, and becoming a little teary over the passage.

2.       Meeting Simon Winchester and chatting for a moment about the Sandisfield Times.

3.       Talking with Elizabeth Brundage about her third and most recent novel, A Stranger Like You.

4.       Joe Donahue interviewing Roy Blount Jr., who talked about his book, Alphabet Juice. Very amusing.

5.       John Hockenberry describing the day he covered the Ayatollah Khomeini’s funeral.

6.       Many of the participating writers, as part of their talks or discussions, mentioned favorite books or authors, so I have compiled a long and tempting list of books to read. I also acquired a hefty stack of new books written by festival participants.

7.       Hearing Judith Thurman talk about Colette, Katie Roiphe discuss Mary McCarthy, and Laura Miller comment on Edna St. Vincent Millay, as well as so many other wonderful writers, during the panel discussion titled “Well-Behaved Women.”

8.       Listening in as Susan Arbetter interviewed Susan Orlean, on topics as wide-ranging as Rin Tin Tin, Tonya Harding, taxidermy, and raising chickens. Lively and fascinating.

9.       During the “Old Money, New Money” panel discussion, hearing, among many other topics, about the travails of the upperclasses, who have to disguise their privileged lives to achieve their political goals.

10.   Walking through the Edith Wharton’s lush gardens, from the blooming perennials to the lime walk to the rock garden.

In truth, every event I attended was wonderful. Kudos to everyone at The Mount, staff and volunteers, for a spectacular weekend. I am looking forward eagerly to next year’s festival.