The Cather bio sent me in search of a more thorough exploration her life and work; perhaps the Hermione Lee already on my shelves. My younger daughter and I are reading the Chiang together. The first two stories reminded me that I do, in fact, enjoy the form; but they must be excellent. And how apt to read Richard II this afternoon: “For God’s sake, let us sit upon the ground / And tell sad stories of the death of kings….”