Quotessence
Home / Quotes / Quote by Michael Chabon

Quote by Michael Chabon

“I resign," says Velvel. He takes off his glasses, slips them into his pocket, and stands up. He forgot an appointment. He's late for work. His mother is calling him on the ultrasonic frequency reserved by the government for Jewish mothers in the event of lunch.”

Quote by Michael Chabon

Work

The Yiddish Policemen's Union

Browse quotes and source details for this work. more

Author

Michael Chabon
Michael Chabon

Michael Chabon is an American author known for his rich imagination and unique narrative style. His works span various literary genres, including novels, short story collections, and children's literature. Chabon's notable works include 'The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay', 'The Yiddish Policemen's Union', and 'The Mysteries of Pittsburgh', which have won him widespread acclaim and numerous literary awards. more

You May Also Like

“You can't be serious. Your temple was destroyed two thousand years ago and you're grieving today?” Yes, as if it had happened only yesterday. “A lot of people have told me the Jews were crazy,” she said. “They were right.” Yes, we're crazy. “It's human nature to forget what hurts you, isn't it? Wasn't forgetfulness a gift of the gods to the ancient world? Without it, life would be intolerable, wouldn't it?” Yes, but the Jews live by other rules. For a Jew, nothing is more important than memory. He is bound to his origins by memory. It is memory that connects him to Abraham, Moses and Rabbi Akiba. If he denies memory he will have denied his own honor. “So you insist on keeping all your wounds open?” Those wounds exist; it is therefore forbidden and unhealthy to pretend that they don't.”

“Mina morbröder skämtade och skojade och parodierade sig själva genom att härma min mormors bakvända språkbruk. Efter några timmars vilda upptåg var släkten helt förvandlad och raglade omkring av ordberusning. I deras tillstånd av praktisk surrealism blommade den judiska humorn och försatte mig i en nästan svindlande extas. Jazzpianisten spelade klarinett och ingenjören hanterade det enradiga dragspelet medan de övriga slog på kastrullock och spelade på kam. Med rytmen sprittande i kroppen tvingade jag fram fiolen ur likkistan och lät stråken glida över fårtarmarna. Och jag frambringade toner som endast en tvättäkta neger kunde uppskatta. Det var rytmkänslan som brusade fram utan musikaliska ambitioner. Min högsta önskan var att bli neger.”

“بل وصل الحال فى عهد معاوية أن دخل عليه أحدهم وهو فى مجلس الخلافة فحياه قائلا : السلام عليك أيها الأجير.وعندما اعترض عليه نفر من الجالسين أصر على مقولته متسائلا: ألم يستأجرك الله لرعاية هذه الأمه؟.وهو ذاته الذى هب فى وجه معاوية عندما حبس بعض الهبات المالية عن المسلمين وقال له أمام الجميع: كيف تمنع العطاء وأنه ليس من كدك ولا من كد أبيك ولا من كد أمك؟!”