The Object Parade: Essays
In her collection of interconnected essays, Lenney (Bigger Than Life, 2007) explores ways in which the physical objects in her life tether her to memories as well as relationships past and present. Each seemingly innocuous object featured here—a watch, metronome, spoon, or table, for example—brings with it a story or vignette, and Lenney uses this as a springboard to examine moments in her life while looking, sometimes hesitantly, toward the future. In “Ferris Wheel,” a spontaneous trip to a park with her two young children evolves into a rumination over her daughter’s imminent transition to adulthood. In the standout “Nests,” the perturbing chorus of a mourning dove connects Lenney to haunting memories of her sister’s struggle with mental health. In “Little Black Dress” and its counterpart, “Little Black Dress, Two,” the eponymous trusted garment appears to lose its luster despite its cherished memories, forcing Lenney to confront her anxieties. Lenney draws upon her experiences as a working actor and mother, offering a reflective and candid look at the connection between sentiment and necessity. --Leah Strauss