Literary Reflections

Literature and reflection are symbiotic.

Writing itself is a mode of reflection – a way for authors to hold up a mirror to their hidden inner lives. Whether it be in the form of memoir, autofiction, poetry, or essay, reflective literature can take the form of a love letter, elegy or self-reproachment of our past selves. It is a way to understand our ever-changing identities, the fluid and interwoven nature of time and self, and our many facets and experiences. To write about the many versions of ourselves is one way to reflect on the small and large moments that make up a life. By celebrating triumphs and understanding trauma – commiserating and commemorating – we can attempt to preserve and understand our identity.

Such reflective writing is also an open space – an invitation to readers to consider their own lives and to project themselves onto a text. When reading a reflective piece of literature, we naturally draw parallels with our own experiences, seeking out answers to our own conundrums. To critically engage with another person’s intimate experience allows us to take a step back, glance in our own blind spots, and re-examine ourselves from new and enlightened perspectives.

In the following section, we have chosen to focus on writing that is rooted in personal reflection. In addition to recommending a selection of upcoming works of reflection, our leading feature is a conversation with a joyful and erudite poet, Michael Pedersen, who has written a thoughtful, touching and ebullient ode to the friendships that colour our lives.