I know, right?ย What am I doing posting on a Saturday nightย โ during a holiday weekend no less? Well, the truth is, last night I woke up in a hot sweat thinking that there might be someone out there who has not readย Congratulations, By The Way, the book version of George Saundersโ now-famous convocation speech given last June at Syracuse University. And if that is indeed the case, I felt the need to remedy the situation immediately. I know we here at DALS tend to get hyperbolic when the subject is Saunders (author of theย award-winning short-story collectionย Tenth of Decemberย andย one of theย original DALS guest-posters), but diehard readers know why. His writing is big-hearted and generous; his capacity for empathy, seemingly endless. What he regrets most in life, Saunders tells graduating seniors, areย failures of kindness.
I believe that by handingย Congratulationsย to a graduate or a friend, you are handing them not just a book, but a message, a philosophy, a worldview.
Hereโs one of my favorite moments in the speech:
And so, a prediction, and my heartfelt wish for you: as you get older, your self will diminish and you will grow in love.ย Youย will gradually be replaced byย love. If you have kids, that will be a huge moment in your process of self-diminishment. You really wonโt care what happens toย you, as long as they benefit. Thatโs one reason your parents are so proud and happy today. One of their fondest dreams has come true: you have accomplished something difficult and tangible that has enlarged you as a person and will make your life better, from here on in, forever.
Would love to read the entire speech!
Looks like a great message for grads young and old.
thank you for sharing this. just looked up the speech on nytimes and think it is a great read.
Iโd love to read this!
Looking forward to reading this!
I had heard about the speech โ but did not know it had been published as a book (thanks, Andy! โ and) thanks DALS!!
โErr in the direction of kindness.โ
Well, okay.
Perfect for a recent graduate in my life who seems to be floundering a bit!
This book has struck a deep chord with me as a parent. For preschool and kindergarten, we enrolled our two girls in a montessori program where the practice of kindness was encouraged with every daily lesson. They are now in third and sixth grade in a public school and my heart aches for those days where kindness was ever present in their school days. I would love to read this to them and get back to their roots.
My oldest daughter is graduating in 2 weeks to become a journalism/ public relations major. This book is perfect for her. Thank you so much for the opportunity.
Where was this give away a few days ago? My husband just graduated with his MBA this weekend! How fittingโฆ
this book looks great! Would love to give it to our niece who is graduating!
i am posting not because i want this book, but because i think that, perhaps, i just might need it. ๐ as a โrecentโ graduate who has spent the past few years wandering and doing the best not to feel lost, this could be just the thing i need to give me that extra boost to make things happen for real. i also find nothing more satisfying than handing someone you care for a book that you love and hoping that they find something beautiful on those pages too. what a wonderful giveaway idea! ๐
Heard about the speech and would be honored to read this book by Mr. Saunders.
I want to begin by saying that you have a fantastic blog. I came across it a couple of months ago and have been following it regularly and I am finally delurking!
For this giveaway: The paragraph you stated from George Saunders speech struck a chord and made me empathic to exactly what my parents feel at each of my achievements, no matter how big or small. It also prompted me to go and read his complete speech which was funny and inspiring. I have personally experienced the changes that can be brought about by simply being kind, empathic and loving and that have made me a much happier person. For someone who can be relatively cynical, it is ironical that I enjoy reading and being inspired by graduation speeches every year. Both my brother and I graduate this fall, him with a Bachelors in Engineering and me with a PhD in Biology and this book would definitely teach us to be more thankful and cherish all that we have. (In addition, to the very expensive camera that I already received as a pre-graduation gift:)).
Awesome
Great! i have a niece graduating this june, sheโll love this.
What a lovely idea.
Whether I win or not โ this one will find its way to my bookshelf.
Iโve heard amazing things about his speech. I happen to be giving a commencement speech myself this season (to my high school), and I could use all the help and reference material I can get! I look forward to reading it, whether I win copies or not.
Thank you for all your work!
I have not heard of this book until todayโs posting. I am very intrigue!
This looks great, thanks both for the giveaway chance and just for bringing this back to my attention.
Fantastic idea! Would love to give this to my friends who just graduated college. Love it!
My daughter graduates in one week and will be heading off to college in the fall. This looks like a great book for her. Thank you so much for the book suggestion/giveaway.
This looks awesome!