If you haven’t figured out by now that I loved Rebecca Solnit’s Hope in the Dark then, well, there is no hope for you! *snerk* Seriously though, this book was a life raft for me after the election. A huge thank you to Haymarket Books for making free digital copies available! Originally published in 2004, Solnit added a new last chapter in 2014 and earlier this year she added a new introduction.
The purpose of the book in 2004 (and now) is not to give the reader hope and pretend everything will be ok. Instead, what Solnit does is argue that hope is not some nebulous and inconsequential thing. Nor is real hope something that belongs to people who do nothing but sit on the couch, wringing their hands, “hoping” someone will do something. Hope is instead a way of life. Hope requires action and is fed by action. In doing we start to see that our actions make a difference and we begin to connect with others who are also doing, become part of a community working together towards something that is bigger than our individual selves.
The motivation behind the book, however, comes from Solnit’s personal activist experience. She has observed that those involved in working for change often get discouraged or burnt out because they go in with the ideal end result “We’re going to end X” and when, after sometimes years of hard work, X is not achieved but they are offered “Y” instead, something smaller, something closer to the goal but not the goal itself, it is treated as a failure. But, Solnit argues, this is the wrong way to look at it. Real honest to goodness and permanent change takes a long time and sometimes it doesn’t even happen in a lifetime. Getting “Y” instead of “X” is not a failure, it is a victory, a step in the right direction, and we should celebrate that victory.
At the core of the book are stories about movements and actions and the victories large and small they achieved. It is a reminder of what has been done and what still needs to be done. It also provides a context and shows that just because the final goal may not yet be reached, our continued action need not begin from scratch. We can build on what has already been done, no need to reinvent the wheel.
One of the things Solnit talks about that I really liked is that despair is for lazy people. Despair is lazy because it means you have capitulated. You’ve decided nothing can be done so you aren’t even going to bother trying. Despair is a failure of the imagination; it is for people who can’t imagine how things might be different. It is for people who don’t want to do the hard work of imagining a better story. As a reader, this struck me hardest. I mean, I read, I have a great imagination or I like to think so. If I begin to despair then it means that I either a) don’t have a good imagination or b) I am too lazy to put it to good use. Both of those make me cringe. No more despair! Sure, it is fine to be sad or disappointed but I refuse to concede, to give in, give up, not try. That’s what those in power want. I will not comply.
I will definitely be reading this book again. And again. And again. It is full of goodness and courage and hope. I don’t know about you, but that’s the kind of person I would like to be and the kind of life I want to live.
Hope in the Dark. Read it.
Hm, I think I’d have to see how she frames this discussion of despair. I do like the idea that we should remember the value of successes even when they’re small — it’s kind of the same idea as that “the perfect is the enemy of the good” adage.
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Jenny, in terms of despair, I think Solnit sees it as a loss of hope and given how she so carefully defines hope as action, despair is on the other end of the continuum and represents a lack of action. I think Solnit would agree with the adage you cite. But read the book! I want to hear what you think! 🙂
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Sounds like something we should all be reading right about now.
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Shay, I found it really inspiring. If you read it, I hope you like it!
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I am nearing the end of this book and she touches upon so many things I have been struggling with that I basically want to start reading it again when I am done.
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This sounds a very necessary book so relevant just now to the political imagination. I found it interesting what you say about despair being a lazy failure of the imagination: isn’t there that old crack about despair I can handle its hope that is a b…..!
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Ian, definitely relevant. And I appreciated that in her arguments she didn’t gloss over the problems that people in movements and actions often create themselves that are counter to the whole undertaking. Heh, I don’t think I have heard that adage before but I think it applies quite well to what Solnit is after with this book.
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Iris, I found myself wishing the book were longer! Because you are right, she touches on so many things and I her to tell me more. I hope you will post your thoughts on the book when you finish it 🙂
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It sounds as if this book is full of good ideas. Though I do believe that a balanced and realistic outlook involves a balance between the positive and the negative, sometimes it pays to emphasize the positive.
I am more receptive to such an approach when it is propelled by reason as this book seems to be.
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Brian Joseph, Solnit is not a sunshine and rainbows sort of person. throughout she emphasizes that hope is hard work, that the victory stories she shared didn’t come from nowhere and she says that action doesn’t always win the day. It does lean more toward the upbeat because that is the purpose of the book, it is not unrealistic.
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This sounds a really optimistic read and one that would fit me perfectly. Plus I rather need to read about hope, right now! Thanks for the title. I will see if the library has it. Happy Friday!
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ravingreader, if you read it I hope you like it!
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This sounds like a great motivational book. I tend to agree that despair is a lazy emotion, that is great way to put it. Thanks for a fantastic review!
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Karen, thanks! the book is very inspiring, that’s for sure!
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This sounds wonderful…positive reinforcements all the way! I am going go ahead and get a copy once I finish Wanderlust! Thank you for another great review and a great bookish introduction! 😀
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cirtnecce, if you are enjoying Wanderlust, you will definitely enjoy this little nugget! 🙂
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Really enjoyed your thoughts on this book, Stefanie! And, I’m really intrigued by HaymarketBooks. Will be spending some time checking out the website and maybe doing some shopping.
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Thanks Iliana! Doesn’t Haymarket have an interesting selection of books? have fun browsing!
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