Nice work bringing up the tension of the two worlds of the dust road and the Taiga in crafting this section, Claudia. I felt the despair of longing for other bodies in nature to be present other than humans along the dust road as you paired it beautifully with the contrasting elements of the forest. Shia’s cathartic experience with the forest was well done and really complicated our typically mundane view of trees as being ubiquitous. And her willingness to share her source of life (water) with non-human agents so they may thrive was a touching performance. Finally, the fact her family curates these and they are available 1000 years later provides the Hope that change is possible. Looking forward to the next one this Fall!
Thanks, Brian. Really appreciate you being onboard this experience that is the Dust Road.
I didn't think about this aspect like this, but you're right. Shia's family is still there 1,000 years later keeping her memory alive despite all the struggle. There was a future after all :).
The thought that so many humans in the version of the future have never felt grass beneath their feet is so sad. Thanks for the future letters from Shia—so glad she lived to the ripe age of 78!
There’s already a generation of people who grew up in the city who have so little contact with nature. I think that as nature becomes more scarce, we’ll have less and less access.
Regarding the inspiration, it’s several non-fiction books about climate change. Once I’m done with the series I’ll write a post about all the books I read to write this.
Nice work bringing up the tension of the two worlds of the dust road and the Taiga in crafting this section, Claudia. I felt the despair of longing for other bodies in nature to be present other than humans along the dust road as you paired it beautifully with the contrasting elements of the forest. Shia’s cathartic experience with the forest was well done and really complicated our typically mundane view of trees as being ubiquitous. And her willingness to share her source of life (water) with non-human agents so they may thrive was a touching performance. Finally, the fact her family curates these and they are available 1000 years later provides the Hope that change is possible. Looking forward to the next one this Fall!
Thanks, Brian. Really appreciate you being onboard this experience that is the Dust Road.
I didn't think about this aspect like this, but you're right. Shia's family is still there 1,000 years later keeping her memory alive despite all the struggle. There was a future after all :).
A beautifully crafted lesson carved from emotion. I look forward to reading more
Thank you 🙏🏻!
This is so gentle in its despair. I think it'll stay with me for quite some time.
Thank you, Shoni. A gentle despair… it’s quite powerful.
As is your writing 🥹
The thought that so many humans in the version of the future have never felt grass beneath their feet is so sad. Thanks for the future letters from Shia—so glad she lived to the ripe age of 78!
And perhaps beyond in the Deep Dive, who knows? 😉
There’s already a generation of people who grew up in the city who have so little contact with nature. I think that as nature becomes more scarce, we’ll have less and less access.
This is beautifully haunting, Claudia. An ambitious project! 👏🏽
Thank you, Kathleen. It's going to be a small book--no more than 50k words--but it does feel ambitious because of the topic.
And congrats once again your Substack anniversary 🥳! Time to continue reading your 'Interpreter in Vienna' series.
Really like these reflective pieces from her memory archives, Claudia. It is full of longing and emotion.
"Once we’re gone, the universe will be still." Quite profound.
Thanks, Nathan, for sticking with me on this long journey on the Dust Road. 💚
Hey 👋🏿 this is my first time reading and I have a question about the inspiration behind this story: have you heard of an anime called Dr. Stone?
I have not actually…
Regarding the inspiration, it’s several non-fiction books about climate change. Once I’m done with the series I’ll write a post about all the books I read to write this.
I enjoyed the first version anyway!
Thank you so much, Larry! And sorry about the spam 🙇🏻♀️.