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Quote by Shirley Hazzard

“...while Norah described to me her plans for carpets and curtains, or showed me the sample of bedspread material she had hung over a chair to see if she could live with it. When I began to know her, I wondered if their courtship had been, for her, something of the same -- my brother draped over a chair for the statutory length of time, to see if she could live with him. In that case she might have noticed that he did not really go with the surroundings; perhaps she did see this, but knew that he would fade to a better match.”

Quote by Shirley Hazzard

Book:The Bay of Noon
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Work

The Bay of Noon

This novel, set in the 1940s, delves into the lives of its characters in a coastal town. It intertwines romantic relationships with the broader social fabric of the community, offering a nuanced portrayal of personal and collective experiences during that era. more

Author

Shirley Hazzard
Shirley Hazzard

Shirley Hazzard was a distinguished American author of New Zealand birth, known for her nuanced psychological portraits and profound historical settings. Her works often explore the relationship between individuals and history, as well as the impact of war and conflict on the human psyche. Hazzard's literary career began in the 1950s, with her short story collection 'The Bay of Noon' published in 1954. more

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“But Winifred had insisted on these outfits. She said I'd need to dress the part, no matter what my deficiencies, which should never be admitted by me. "Say you have a headache," she told me. "It's always an acceptable excuse." She told me many other things as well. "It's all right to show boredom," she said. "Just never show fear. They'll smell it on you, like sharks, and come in for the kill. You can look at the edge of the table - it lowers your eyelids - but never look at the floor, it makes your neck look weak. Don't stand up straight, you're not a soldier. Never cringe. If someone makes a remark that's insulting to you, say Excuse me? as if you haven't heard; nine times out of ten they won't have the face to repeat it. Never raise your voice to a waiter, its vulgar. Make them bend down, it's what they're for. Don't fidget with your gloves or your hair. Always look as if you have something better to do, but never show impatience. When in doubt, go to the powder room, but go slowly. Grace comes from indifference." Such were her sermons. I have to admit, despite my loathing of her, that they have proved to be of considerable value in my life.”

WomenMannerismsSister In Law
Book:The Blind Assassin
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