18 Comments
User's avatar
Charlie Mack Lundstrom's avatar

This long-ago Orlean follower just happened upon this piece and had too comment on the confusing altar-alter problem, "a" being the noun that cements the marriage decision and the "e" being the verb of change agent. I suspect that many a male would have relished being the latter.

Expand full comment
Polly Walker Blakemore's avatar

Blame Autocorrect!

Expand full comment
Susan Orlean's avatar

Aaaaargh!! Fixed it!

Expand full comment
Jane Baker's avatar

I enjoy your writing. I've got 'My Kind of Place' on Audible. I'm going to resubscribe when I can afford it. So many outgoings,so little money. I'm going to pre-order your next book but via my local independent bookshop. Even if THEY get it via Amazon,well it's still business for them.

Expand full comment
Polly Walker Blakemore's avatar

I love it when I type "president" and Autocorrect still suggests "Obama."

Expand full comment
Ron Colman's avatar

“More pastry than internet” deserves a chef’s kiss. I also approve of your selective but pinpoint use of “fucking”.

Expand full comment
Susan Orlean's avatar

🤣🤣🤣🤣

Expand full comment
Nan's avatar

This was delightful. And my idea of heaven is a place with more pastry than internet.

Expand full comment
Christopher P. Gilbert's avatar

i accidentally tuned in to a bit of your interview with john patterson (sp?). very substantive and interesting , but i just wanted to comment on how cheerful and upbeat your voice sounds on the radio- how charming your reedy tenor compares to your i terviewer's dour baritone. Bravo!

chris gilbert

Expand full comment
Susan Orlean's avatar

Thanks, Chris!

Expand full comment
Brenton Schlender's avatar

So glad that the spelling police is on duty.

Expand full comment
Christopher Manson's avatar

I can relate to Word's autocorrect torture.

Expand full comment
Polly Walker Blakemore's avatar

Many books last longer than many marriages, alas - or maybe not!

Expand full comment
Neal Stiffelman's avatar

What a swell piece. Captures so much of what we feel whenever we’ve embarked on a project.

Expand full comment
Sharon A's avatar

Best of luck in your book idea "courtship," and totally understand not sharing it yet. It's like you don't introduce the college boyfriend to your parents until you're essentially engaged.

And I'm glad you enjoyed London and hope you grow to like it even more. Have been there so many times and I adore it -- or, at least, I adore Bloomsbury. Like NYC, where you stay in the city can have a great impact on how much or even whether you enjoy it.

Looking forward to the book tour dates and fingers crossed you'll be in my area. (Austin, TX)

Expand full comment
Melissa's avatar

Oops! You’ve moved on!

Expand full comment
Melissa's avatar

I’m in London too!!

Go see Grayson Perry at The Wallace Collection. Brilliant show.

Expand full comment
Susan Orlean's avatar

Ooooh shoot! Missed it!

Expand full comment