October 2013: My Beloved World (Sotomayor)

Post date: Oct 24, 2013 8:58:26 PM

It was quite foggy the evening of October 22, which makes getting to Betsey's even more of an adventure, but a stalwart group made it up the hill for our discussion of Sonia Sotomayor's memoir (including two who'd never made the trek before).

Maggie felt that the book was overall too long, and several people felt the first half was stronger than the second, but all of us found her tale compelling, as who would not. Kathryn remarked on the high quality of the writing, and we confirmed that although a collaborator is mentioned who helped her decide which stories to include, she is the only listed author. Although she talks about having problems with her mother and working through them as an adult, some felt that her relationship with her mother was not illustrated particularly harshly in the sections on her childhood, leaving one wondering exactly why she had such problems.

Her experience of entering the Ivy League world from a background so incredible different from most of her peers, and the continued reminders of how she did not fit in were themes that resonated with many alumnae, who although they may not have come from backgrounds as removed as Sotomayor's, were not familiar with or completely comfortable in the culture they found of Smith.

We discussed her goals in writing the book, and agreed that she was writing to inspire others and to document the path she took. She did not gloss over the hardships, but was not looking for sympathy nor seeking to excoriate those who were obstacles in her path. She set out to write a success story, with a happy ending, and did that clearly and well.

Overall, the book chronicles a remarkable life and a remarkable woman, and many echoed the feeling that they were delighted to have her on the bench of the Supreme Court.

As is not surprising, our conversation also drifted into other discussions about the role of the Supreme Court and gun control, among other things.