November 9, 2004

Last line

Quickly and slowly.

Posted by sheila
Comments

Clue:

This is from the last piece this author ever wrote (at least that we know of). The contradictory nature of this last sentence ("quickly and slowly") pretty much describes the nature of the entire piece, which I think is brilliant, and moving, and difficult to read - it's painful. You can feel the author struggling with his own need to express, and you can also feel the author HATING the limitations of words.

He never published anything again.
So far.

Posted by: red at November 9, 2004 7:05 PM

Must be Salinger, but I don't know the book.

Posted by: Linus at November 9, 2004 7:21 PM

DBW is sure to get it. When he arrives.

Posted by: red at November 9, 2004 8:25 PM

Bloody hell! I should have known this group of literature freaks would answer every damn one of these before I could get back here. I appreciate them leaving at least this one for me. This is Buddy Glass mourning his brother's passing. "Just go to bed, now. Quickly. Quickly and slowly." Raise High the Roofbeam, Carpenters and Seymour: An Introduction.

Posted by: DBW at November 10, 2004 9:43 AM

Yes, DBW - I knew you would get it.

:)

Posted by: red at November 10, 2004 10:37 AM