Superlatives. One of the best novels I have ever read. One of the best novel ever written and translated into the english language. I would give quotes but there are just too many. The most quotable book I have ever read ever. This means that I felt there was something to be learned with every paragraph, every phase of the story. I need to study this book, so many truths (if i may pretend for a moment that truth exists.)
Where to begin.
It all begins with lightness
and weight.
Misunderstood words... two people talking but each with his or her own internal dictionary (this happens to me daily)
Vertigo: not the fear of falling, but the DESIRE to fall.
He remained annoyed with himself intil he realized that not knowing what he wanted was quite natural.
We can never know what to want, because living only one life, we can neither compare it with our previous lives nor perfect it in our lives to come.
Was it better to be with Tereza or to remain alone?
There is no means of testing which decision is better, because there is no basis ofr comparison. We live everything as it comes, without warning, like an actor going on cold. And what can life be worth if the first rehearsal for life is life itself? That is why life is always like a sketch. No, ‘sketch’ is not quite the word, because a sketch is an outline of something, the ground-work for a picture, whereas the sketch that is our life is a sketch for nothing, an outline with no picture.
Einmal is keinmal, says Thomas to himself. What happens but once, say the German adage, might well not have happened at all.
And the bit about being turned into kitch when you die.... so yes.
I can’t help but think that so many relationships could be saved, lovers gaining new insight, if only they would read this book... immediately.
Many many, yesYES see this THIS is what I mean, seeee, moments.