Some people show evil as a great race horse shows breeding. They have the dignity of a hard chancre. Lewis did not show evil; he just looked nasty. Walking home I tried to think what he reminded me of and there were various things. They were all medical except toe-jam and that was a slang […]
Entries Tagged as 'prose'
The Eyes of an Unsuccessful Rapist – “A Moveable Feast”, Ernest Hemingway
October 30th, 2012 · Comments Off on The Eyes of an Unsuccessful Rapist – “A Moveable Feast”, Ernest Hemingway · Description, Writing
Tags:description·Evil·prose
You Have Always Written Before and you Will Write Now – “A Moveable Feast”, Ernest Hemingway
October 28th, 2012 · Comments Off on You Have Always Written Before and you Will Write Now – “A Moveable Feast”, Ernest Hemingway · Psychology, Quotes, Writing
But sometimes when I was starting a new story and I could not get it going, I would sit in front of the fire and squeeze the peel of the little oranges into the edge of the flame and watch the splutter of blue they made. I would stand and look out over the roofs […]
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Tags:mindfulness·pressure·Process·prose·writers block·writing
A Little Coordinate of the Universe Permanently Charged – “Freedom: A Novel”, Jonathan Franzen
October 25th, 2012 · Comments Off on A Little Coordinate of the Universe Permanently Charged – “Freedom: A Novel”, Jonathan Franzen · Prose, Writing
No mark was left on the wall there, and yet the spot remained clear and distinct forever after. It was a little coordinate of the universe permanently charged and altered by its history. It became, that spot, a quiet third presence in the room with her and Walter on the weekends they later spent alone […]
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When this conscience business starts, ain’t no telling where it’ll stop – “All the King’s Men” – Robert Penn Warren
June 26th, 2012 · Comments Off on When this conscience business starts, ain’t no telling where it’ll stop – “All the King’s Men” – Robert Penn Warren · Morality, Philosophy, Politics, Quotes
“I have endorsed Callahan,” the Judge said. He didn’t flicker. “I maybe could give you the dirt,” the Boss said speculatively. “Callahan’s been playing round for a long time, and he who touches pitch shall be defiled, and little boys just will walk barefoot in the cow pasture.” He looked up at Judge Irwin’s face, […]
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After a long time Anne wasn’t a little girl anymore – “All the King’s Men” – Robert Penn Warren
June 26th, 2012 · Comments Off on After a long time Anne wasn’t a little girl anymore – “All the King’s Men” – Robert Penn Warren · Description, Prose, Writing
Adam and I hunted and camped all over the country, and Anne had been there, a thin-legged little girl about four years younger than we were. And we had sat by the fire in the Stanton house – or in my house – and had played with toys or read books while Anne sat there. […]
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In the Souls of the People – “The Grapes of Wrath” – John Steinbeck
June 15th, 2012 · Comments Off on In the Souls of the People – “The Grapes of Wrath” – John Steinbeck · Politics, Progressive Politics, Quotes, Writing
In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage.
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Tags:Anger·Politics·progressive politics·prose·Quotes·Resentment·writing
Shakespeare’s Phrases – “Shakespeare” – Bill Bryson
May 6th, 2012 · Comments Off on Shakespeare’s Phrases – “Shakespeare” – Bill Bryson · Prose, Writing
His real gift was as a phrase maker. ‘Shakespeare’s language,’ says Stanley Wells, ‘has a quality, difficult to define, of memorability that has cause many phrases to enter the common language.’ Among them: one fell swoop, vanish into thin air, bag and baggage, play fast and loose, go down the primrose path, be in a […]
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Learning About Women – “Novel Without a Name” – Duong Thu Huong
May 3rd, 2012 · Comments Off on Learning About Women – “Novel Without a Name” – Duong Thu Huong · History, Prose
I had learned about women on a hill in central Vietnam, from a woman in heat, round as a sausage, slick with sweat. And Hoa? Who had it been for her? I didn’t have the heart to ask her the name of the father of her child. Never. We Never forget anything, never lose anything, […]
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It Was Terrifying – “Novel Without a Name” – Duong Thu Huong
May 3rd, 2012 · Comments Off on It Was Terrifying – “Novel Without a Name” – Duong Thu Huong · Prose
It’s not our fault… Not your fault. Or mine. What’s important is that I love you.” I took her hands. She began to sob again, her whole body shuddering. She held me. Her hands burned. “Don’t cry. Listen to me.” I stuttered something. I couldn’t speak clearly anymore. I held this woman in my arms. […]
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Bullets May Miss People But No One Dodged a Bullet – “Novel Without a Name” – Duong Thu Huong
May 2nd, 2012 · Comments Off on Bullets May Miss People But No One Dodged a Bullet – “Novel Without a Name” – Duong Thu Huong · Prose, War, Writing
I stayed stretched out like that for a long time. The ground beneath me was scorching now; the fog had evaporated and the grass had turned a deeper shade of green. The sound of an airplane rumbled overhead. I didn’t care. Why bother running for cover? I thought: Bullets may miss people, but no one […]
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