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Quote by Peter De Vries

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The Cat's Pajamas and Witch's Milk

This volume brings together two distinct novellas by the same author. 'The Cat's Pajamas' follows a lonely, elderly woman who forms an unexpected bond with a stray cat, leading to subtle shifts in her reclusive life. 'Witch's Milk' centers on a troubled young woman navigating strained family relationships and her own psychological struggles. Both stories employ a spare, observational prose style to examine the quiet dramas of ordinary people, highlighting moments of tenderness and absurdity in everyday existence. more

Author

Peter De Vries
Peter De Vries

Peter De Vries was a renowned Dutch editor known for his editorial and critical work on literary works. His career spanned various fields, including literature, drama, and broadcasting. more

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“The 'medical examination' to which abductees are said to be subjected, often accompanied by sadistic sexual manipulation, is reminiscient of the medieval tales of encounters with demons. It makes no sense in a sophisticated or technical framework: any intelligent being equipped with the scientific marvels that UFOs possess would be in a position to achieve any of these alleged scientific objectives in a shorter time and with fewer risks.”

“My highest achievement: never shutting my heart down. Even in my darkest moments - through sexual abuse, a pregnancy at 14, lies and betrayals - I remained faithful, hopeful, and open to seeing the best in people, regardless of whether they were showing me their worst. I stayed open to believing that no matter how hard the climb, there is always a way to let in a sliver of light to illuminate the path forward.”

“[I] learned ... that friends are a good source of food and soul when one has not yet gotten the hang of cooking or living (as opposed to dying) alone. That nothing-not booze, not love, not sex, not work, not moving from state to state-will make the past disappear. Only time and patience heal things. I learned that cutting up your arms in an attempt to make the pain move from inside to outside, from soul to skin, is futile. That death is a cop-out. I tried all of these things.”

“I have a lot of friends who are getting married. I try to avoid talking to them about their sex lives now 'cause it's so depressing. One guy told me it had been six months since he had gotten to second base with his wife. Yeah, I don't know which one was more pathetic: that he used the phrase 'second base' or that he hadn't been there in six months?”