Congratulations, by the way is a slightly expanded version of the commencement speech George Saunders gave at Syracuse University on May 11, 2013 - and it’s truly wunnerful!
Saunders makes the case for a life lived with purposeful kindness and unselfishness at the forefront, and does so in his amusing, charming and eloquent style. It’s a kinda corny sentiment, and exactly what you’d expect to hear at this sort of ceremony - a fact Saunders wryly notes at the beginning - but an important one to keep in mind.
It’s a deceptively simple, thoughtful and concise speech but, as anyone who’s tried can attest, writing like that ain’t easy and Saunders does so masterfully. I was very moved by his powerful words and unabashed guilelessness and found it to be refreshingly hopeful and upbeat.
A short read but an inspiring one, Congratulations, by the way is an energising spiritual shot in the arm - George Saunders weaves his beautiful magic again!
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