I loved every minute of this, the story of a friendship, that clip from an early session on Moby Dick with Johann, the readings, her arguing and admiring and pitying Spinoza, as if he were some guy who is overthinking something at a dinner party. Dear Lesley, your spirit will always be welcome at my dinner table, and you don't have to fuss over the chopped liver. xo Chris, Jake, and Adrienne.
What a tribute, and what a life well-lived. Before I heard of her passing, I was still holding out hope for another Shakespeare class; his language and Lesley's questions and guidance and charisma- what a dream! Can't wait to listen to this episode.
The way Shakespeare sounded in her accent was magical. Dickens too! I remember asking her to read a long paragraph in Copperfield just because I wanted to hear her say it
Thank you for this wistful tribute to Lesley. I knew her for over 60 years She stayed with my wife & I in London on occasion. We both are rereading her books, in fact reading some for the 1st time & are very moved. Thanks again for your piece all the best.
I met Lesley online when I was barely out of high school c. 2013. I struggled with my faith, and she was right there through it all as a penpal, my Yiddishe Momme, to a queer guy in Indonesia a million miles away. When I had my first TEDx talk in 2015, I felt such sentimentality as it was her TED talks that led me to reach out to her. When she died, I found out from a random Google search. I was heartbroken, especially because we did not have any mutual friends. I felt such pain grieving for her by myself. Thank you for posting all this. I feel less alone in my grief of her, and makes me want to celebrate her life instead!
I loved every minute of this, the story of a friendship, that clip from an early session on Moby Dick with Johann, the readings, her arguing and admiring and pitying Spinoza, as if he were some guy who is overthinking something at a dinner party. Dear Lesley, your spirit will always be welcome at my dinner table, and you don't have to fuss over the chopped liver. xo Chris, Jake, and Adrienne.
"arguing and admiring and pitying Spinoza, as if he were some guy who is overthinking something at a dinner party" — ha!!
What a tribute, and what a life well-lived. Before I heard of her passing, I was still holding out hope for another Shakespeare class; his language and Lesley's questions and guidance and charisma- what a dream! Can't wait to listen to this episode.
The way Shakespeare sounded in her accent was magical. Dickens too! I remember asking her to read a long paragraph in Copperfield just because I wanted to hear her say it
A lovely memoir for a dynamic, beloved woman.
Thank you for listening
I miss her somehow more than I thought I would, she cast a long shadow (or maybe a long sunbeam?). Looking forward to this.
Thank you for this wistful tribute to Lesley. I knew her for over 60 years She stayed with my wife & I in London on occasion. We both are rereading her books, in fact reading some for the 1st time & are very moved. Thanks again for your piece all the best.
I'm very moved this made its way to you, and that you knew her so long — thanks again for saying this, and happy reading
What a beautiful episode. Thanks for sharing so much with us, Adrienne!
I met Lesley online when I was barely out of high school c. 2013. I struggled with my faith, and she was right there through it all as a penpal, my Yiddishe Momme, to a queer guy in Indonesia a million miles away. When I had my first TEDx talk in 2015, I felt such sentimentality as it was her TED talks that led me to reach out to her. When she died, I found out from a random Google search. I was heartbroken, especially because we did not have any mutual friends. I felt such pain grieving for her by myself. Thank you for posting all this. I feel less alone in my grief of her, and makes me want to celebrate her life instead!
I’m so glad you found this episode! Thanks for the comment and sharing your story and your connection to Lesley
https://share.icloud.com/photos/0aaayEd3xVQPnkB9uPM7hgfhw
Lesley's hand directing this photo is more precious now.
I wish I could get this image to open! It's probably a problem on my end
I will email it to you
I love the picture so much — it reminds me I still need to edit together the video of that walk to the lighthouse that day.
Notice that cigarette in her hand!