Open a book this minute and start reading. Don’t move until you’ve reached page fifty. Until you’ve buried your thoughts in print. Cover yourself with words. Wash yourself away. Dissolve. Carol Shields Republic of Love

Alice Munro “Privilege”

This story was originally published in Ms in September 1978, under the title “The Honeyman’s Daughter”.

Thinking about this changes the focus of the story somewhat because the honey-dumper goes around cleaning toilets. That’s his job. And Cora is his granddaughter.

Rose greatly admires Cora (and Rose is at the heart of this collection of interconnected [...]