Speaking Volumes

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MAY 6, 2009

Seeing A Good Book

To some this may sound odd, but when I read fiction, I usually “see” the story in my mind’s eye, much like a movie. When I set aside the book, I’m frequently surprised to see the pages go unbalanced from right to left, as I have no memory of the words or turning the pages. Further, when I am conscious of the words, it’s usually a rather poor book.

As a consequence of this particular quirk, there are scenes from books which are, rather literally, haunting. Though it’s been twenty years at least, I can still see Heathcliff as he exhumed Catherine, Scout taking those steps onto the porch, the flames at Thornfield and Manderley. They are as real and vivid as Scarlet’s declaration to the sky that she will never be hungry again.

Some times these scenes appear to me like move stills. Other times it’s the feelings associated with the realizations occurring when I read that linger. These are the more haunting.

It doesn’t even matter if I liked the book. The Grapes of Wrath. Hated it. BUT over twenty years and it’s still haunting. Perhaps this is why 69 years ago today, Steinbeck was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for this novel.

Come find some haunting scenes @ the library . . .

Speaking Volumes

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