literary quote of the day (10/23/10)

He closed his eyes and the night ran together in his mind and he remembered the rifle in the corner and thought: I'll throw it in the creek tomorrow. I never want to see it again. He would be asleep soon. He saw himself standing on the hill and throwing his rifle into the creek; then the creek became an ocean, and he stood on a high cliff and for a moment he was a mighty angel, throwing all guns and creulty and sex and tears into the sea.

Andre Dubus, "The Intruder"

literary quote of the day (10/22/10)

"I was the shadow of the waxwing slain
By the false azure of the windowpane"

John Shade, in Pale Fire by Vladimir Nabokov


and a bonus quote, since I missed yesterday...

"My commentary to this poem, now in the hands of my readers, represents an attempt to sort out those echoes and wavelets of fire, and pale phosphorescent hints, and all the many subliminal debts to me."

Charles Kinbote, in Pale Fire by Vladimir Nabokov

literary quote of the day (10/20/10)

"It was a dark and stormy night."

Madeleine L'Engle, A Wrinkle in Time

literary quote of the day (10/19/10)

So let us leave. Let us get to the Plymouth with an impolite quickness--let us fly, as witnesses of eras past might say. Because at home, the hard and escalating war has paid a visit. And it's Swede, my darling sister, who has met it at the door.

Leif Enger, Peace Like a River

literary quote of the day (10/18/10)

I'll pray, and then I'll sleep.

Marilynne Robinson, Gilead

literary quote of the day (10/17/10)

Wherever you turn your eyes the world can shine like transfiguration. You don't have to bring a thing to it except a little willingness to see. Only, who could have the courage to see it?

Marilynne Robinson, Gilead