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Study in Perfect
Study in Perfect is an exploration of perfection. In “Moving Horizontal” a Victorian house loses its charm over time, especially when compared to a modernist contemporary filled with light. Family life is dense with pleasure, as in the perfect vacation described in “Marking Time in Door County,” and in “Neriage, or What Is the Secret of a Long Marriage,” where an ancient Japanese ceramic technique has much in common with shaping a close relationship. There is such a thing as a perfect cup of tea, depending on who is preparing and drinking it (“Perfect Tea”). And schmaltzy show tunes flowing from a black-lacquered piano in a Chinese restaurant can be genuinely moving (“Sentimental à la Carte”).
Naturally, Gorham must embrace imperfection. The poisonous mushrooms in “Darling Amanita” lead to a consideration of our darker impulses, like obsessive love, even murder. And there is “The Shape of Fear” relates the story of a child stricken with a deadly staph infection, as it considers the function and form of fear. And alcoholism, the family disease no one wants to talk about, is poised against The Cat in the Hat, a story everyone has read and enjoyed.
Study in Perfect winds its way around and through the many permutations of this most hermetic and exalted concept and proceeds with the full consciousness that perfection’s exact definition is subjective, reliant on who is speaking, and easily unmoored by time, geography, and the vagaries of taste.
Naturally, Gorham must embrace imperfection. The poisonous mushrooms in “Darling Amanita” lead to a consideration of our darker impulses, like obsessive love, even murder. And there is “The Shape of Fear” relates the story of a child stricken with a deadly staph infection, as it considers the function and form of fear. And alcoholism, the family disease no one wants to talk about, is poised against The Cat in the Hat, a story everyone has read and enjoyed.
Study in Perfect winds its way around and through the many permutations of this most hermetic and exalted concept and proceeds with the full consciousness that perfection’s exact definition is subjective, reliant on who is speaking, and easily unmoored by time, geography, and the vagaries of taste.
- GenresEssaysNonfictionMemoir
224 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
March 8, 2015
Creative nonfiction, mostly autobiographical. My favorite was "A Drinker's Guide to The Cat in the Hat," which is Gorham's explanation of how living with an alcoholic made her feel like the angry little fish in the famous children's book.
July 11, 2016
I was surprised by how much I liked this, as the concept seems so drippy. A collection of short autobiographical pieces by a poet, vaguely connected to the concept of perfection. Sounds drippy, right? But it was actually lovely -- and in places, rather moving.
December 29, 2014
Creative non-fiction. Who knew? Many of these pieces were pretty amazing. Fell off a bit at the end.
February 16, 2022
I have mixed opinions. There are parts that I really really enjoyed — specifically the section on selfishness, which I found specifically interesting. I liked certain essays but I didn’t love the book as much as still life with oysters and lemon which tackles similar ideas.
October 1, 2016
Essays written by a poet are bound to be enjoyable to read. Especially enjoyed the probing nature of each in regard to "Perfection." I'm interviewing Sarah Gorham on Tuesday! So I'm glad for the chance to ask her a few things. (3.5/5)
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October 27, 2018One of the most beautiful collection of essays I've ever read - and extremely teachable. My graduate students consistently love this immaculately-formatted and organized collection.
April 10, 2015
beautiful essays of family (in usa), interpersonal relationships, art, living with a drunk (remember the fish in 'cat in the hat'?) , lots of smart science, and lots of references to other books.
September 18, 2022
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April 4, 2017
I know that Study in Perfect garnered very high critical acclaim. I can see why. Gorham is a master of certain complex essay forms sometimes described as ‘montage’, ‘collage’ and ‘lyrical essay’. She has a wonderfully sharp eye for detail and the associations she makes between completely different subjects (e.g. mushroom and risk taking, or a children’s book and alcoholism) are brilliant. And yet… I felt that what I read was mostly reportage. Wonderfully written, freshly observed and yet – reportage. I missed depth, reflection, analysis. I also felt that Gorham sometimes hid behind her virtuoso techniques. She is shiny yet not vulnerable enough for me. It felt as if she dazzles her readers so that they cannot see into her life really because of the brightness of her style. I guess what I am saying here is the unsayable. That… the emperor was only partially dressed. That I was only partially engaged.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews