I see my mind as a tapestry woven through with memories, dreams and thoughts.

Sunday 8 January 2012

Sunday Snippet

Of Kate Atkinson's books, this is one of my favourites. 'Emotionally Weird' is described by the author as 'a comic novel'. And so it is. I am including two snippets (of which the first portrays thoughts and the second depicts a scenario, in a rather whimsical manner):

'What if I didn't leave Bob? What if our slouch towards commitment ended at the altar? What would it be like if I occupied the wife-shaped space next to Bob? My life as a wife. In a Barratt's starter-home, with an avocado bathroom and a three-piece suite in leather. If we ever had a child (curious idea) I thought we should call it Inertia. Although our occasional dull missionary encounters didn't seem passionate enough to produce anything as real and lasting as a child, even one called Inertia, and Bob (more likely to consult Mr. Spock than Dr. Spock) wasn't fit to be in charge of a push-and-pull lawnmower let alone a baby in a pram.'


'On the dull stainless-steel draining.bvoard a huge raw slamon was laid out as if waiting for a post mortem.
'We're having a party,' Archie said, indicating the salmon, rather morosely. It didn't look much of a party-going sort of fish; its silver lamé scales may have gleamed under the kitchen lights but its dead eye was lustreless and fixed and it had leaked blood onto the draining-board. The cat made a great pretence of not seeing the fish.'

'Emotionally Weird' by Kate Atkinson

9 comments:

K said...

This is the book that introduced me to Kate Atkinson. I love her funny, quirky style of writing and realistic characters.

Great Snippet!

Elisabeth said...

I first met Atkinson with 'Scenes from behind the museum'. She's a wonderful writer. I've yet to read this latest book. Thanks for the intro.

Barbara von Enger said...

I haven't read this book by Kate Atkinson, but it's still on my dressing table along with the other books I intend to read this year. Nice reading about it here.
Warmly hope you are having a poetic Sunday;-)

aguja said...

I know that Spangle loves it - hope that you two do, too. I am re reading it and just have to keep smiling or laughing.
Thank you for commenting Elizabeth ... and funnily, Fashion, Art and Other Fancies, I am finding my mind returning to poetic thoughts; how astute you are!

Deborah Lawrenson said...

One of my favourite writers!
Happy new blogging year, Ann.

Style, She Wrote said...

What if our slouch towards commitment ended at the altar? = great line! xo style, she wrote

aguja said...

Thank you, Deborah and Style!
¡Igualmente, Deborah!..... one of mine, too, and you are also in that list. Hope your book is going to your satisfaction.

Tiffany Kadani said...

Interesting side note: my friend is named Inertia and she is one of the most interesting people I know.

aguja said...

Brilliant! I thought as I read that it is actually a wonderful name to have.