Such openness to experience the moment, reveling in what others take for granted – being a “first-class noticer” – was, to Bellow, essential to the job of the writer.
“There is some good in the worst of us and some evil in the best of us. When we discover this, we are less prone to hate our enemies.”
―
―
“I wasn't good at pretending, that was the thing. After what had happened in that burning house, given what went on there, I could see no point in being anything other than truthful with the world. I had, literally, nothing left to lose. But, by careful observation from the sidelines, I'd worked out that social success is often built on pretending just a little. Popular people sometimes have to laugh at things they don't find very funny, or do things they don't particularly want to, with people whose company they don't particularly enjoy. Not me. I had decided, years ago, that if the choice was between that or flying solo, then I'd fly solo. It was safer that way. Grief is the price we pay for love, so they say. The price is far too high.”
― Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine
― Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine
“If someone asks you how you are, you are meant to say FINE. You are not meant to say that you cried yourself to sleep last night because you hadn't spoken to another person for two consecutive days. FINE is what you say.”
― Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine
― Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine
“Discipline is the impossible conquered by the obstinate repetition of the possible.”
― A Philosophy of Walking
― A Philosophy of Walking
“A philosophical question: if a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound? And if a woman who's wholly alone occasionally talks to a pot plant, is she certifiable? I think that it is perfectly normal to talk to oneself occasionally. It's not as though I'm expecting a reply. I'm fully aware that Polly is a houseplant.”
― Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine
― Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine
Sourcico Book Club
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— last activity Apr 05, 2022 12:34AM
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Simona’s 2025 Year in Books
Take a look at Simona’s Year in Books, including some fun facts about their reading.
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