Monday, April 09, 2007

More or less by instinct or smell

Two excerpts from the same 12 Oct 55 letter:

I do like the articles back though I don't have any file. I live in a rat's nest of old papers, clippings, torn manuscripts, ancient quarterlies, etc. etc. etc. I can tell more or less by instinct or smell at what level in the impedimenta some article is. I tunnel about in this mess like a mole making his way underground.

I am like the little boy who just liked to feel candy; I like to read booklists.

--Flannery O'Connor, The Habit of Being

4 comments:

  1. I ordered a copy of The Habit of Being for my daughter, but it has not arrived. She was so disappointed because she and her husband are going on a cruise (leaving today) and wanted something good to take with her. I (hearing the sub-message) volunteered my copy to tide her over until hers arrives. I think Flannery would enjoy a cruise!

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  2. I loved licking suckers with the plastic on, they lasted longer that way.

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  3. I broke down last night and ordered a copy for myself. I'm like you, JenClair, I want to underline and mark it up, and reading a library copy is spoiling all my fun.

    Zhoen, I've never tried that. My candy extension method usually is to eat it one layer at a time.

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  4. You're not alone, I love to read booklists as well.

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