Death is your art. You make it with your hands day after day. That final gasp, that look of peace. And part of you is desperate to know: What's it like? Where does it lead you? And now you see, that's the secret. Not the punch you didn't throw or the kicks you didn't land. She really wanted it. Every Slayer has a death wish. Even you.

Spike ,'Conversations with Dead People'


Literary Buffistas 3: Don't Parse the Blurb, Dear.

There's more to life than watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer! No. Really, there is! Honestly! Here's a place for Buffistas to come and discuss what it is they're reading, their favorite authors and poets. "Geez. Crack a book sometime."


DavidS - Jun 07, 2007 9:37:20 am PDT #2782 of 28756
"Look, son, if it's good enough for Shirley Bassey, it's good enough for you."

This surprises us not at all.

What are you implying, madame? That I have a steam powered Mark IV Purple Enprosenator running 24-7 in my basement at all times? That I praise linguistic maximalists to the spiraling tops of the clustered cumulus and damn the spindle shanked minimalists to the dreary mini-malls of puttering indifference? Is that what you're saying?


Jon B. - Jun 07, 2007 9:38:08 am PDT #2783 of 28756
A turkey in every toilet -- only in America!

“in her company he wrapped himself in misery like a robe. Between them self-consciousness bulked as a river silts its channel.”

“His hot eyes cooled. Invisible clouds blocked the sky and its atmospheres where noises of people dissolve. The sea beside him, a monster with a lace hem, drained east.”

“Twice a day behind their house the tide boarded the sand. Four times a year the seasons flopped over. Clams live like this, but without so much reading.”

I dunno, David... Seems "block that metaphor"-worthy to me.


DavidS - Jun 07, 2007 9:41:51 am PDT #2784 of 28756
"Look, son, if it's good enough for Shirley Bassey, it's good enough for you."

I dunno, David... Seems "block that metaphor"-worthy to me.

Well, we don't have the rest of the book to compare it to. Extracting a few lines to highlight her metaphorical bent will necessarily emphasize the juicier examples.

Besides, there's nothing wrong with this line:

“Twice a day behind their house the tide boarded the sand. Four times a year the seasons flopped over. Clams live like this, but without so much reading.”


flea - Jun 07, 2007 9:48:02 am PDT #2785 of 28756
information libertarian

Since I have been in Dillard's house, I can report that she does indeed live by the words in the Ginger quote (or did, in 1989). Not a cheese ball in sight.


Polter-Cow - Jun 07, 2007 9:50:02 am PDT #2786 of 28756
What else besides ramen can you scoop? YOU CAN SCOOP THIS WORLD FROM DARKNESS!

Besides, there's nothing wrong with this line:

I did like the clam line. It was Lorrie Moore-esque.


Steph L. - Jun 07, 2007 9:53:11 am PDT #2787 of 28756
That which does not kill you should RUN

What are you implying, madame? That I have a steam powered Mark IV Purple Enprosenator running 24-7 in my basement at all times?

(Pssst, everybody! It's actually in his bathroom.)

Besides, there's nothing wrong with this line:

"Twice a day behind their house the tide boarded the sand. Four times a year the seasons flopped over. Clams live like this, but without so much reading."

Man, I really dislike "the seasons flopped over." Flopped?


P.M. Marc - Jun 07, 2007 10:01:42 am PDT #2788 of 28756
So come, my friends, be not afraid/We are so lightly here/It is in love that we are made; In love we disappear

Yeah, I'm going to have to say I find little purpose in her purple. It feels less stained glass, more Bedazzler.


Amy - Jun 07, 2007 10:10:20 am PDT #2789 of 28756
Because books.

It feels less stained glass, more Bedazzler.

Heh. Dead on.


Amy - Jun 07, 2007 10:11:05 am PDT #2790 of 28756
Because books.

Also, that would be an awesome writing workshop: Is There Purpose to Your Purple?


DavidS - Jun 07, 2007 10:12:08 am PDT #2791 of 28756
"Look, son, if it's good enough for Shirley Bassey, it's good enough for you."

It feels less stained glass, more Bedazzler.

Oh, snap!