Quotessence
Home / Quotes / Quote by L.P. Hartley

Quote by L.P. Hartley

“Suddenly I caught sight of myself in a glass and saw what a figure of fun I looked. Hitherto I had always taken my appearance for granted; now I saw how inelegant it was, compared with theirs; and at the same time, for the first time, I was acutely aware of social inferiority. I felt utterly out of place among these smart rich people, and a misfit everywhere.”

Quote by L.P. Hartley

Work

The go-between

This novel, set in the early 20th century, follows the story of a young boy who becomes an unwitting messenger between two adults, leading to a series of events that profoundly impact his life. The narrative delves into themes of innocence, betrayal, and the intricate dynamics of human connections. more

Author

L.P. Hartley
L.P. Hartley

L.P. Hartley was an influential British novelist known for his unique narrative style and profound insights into human nature. His works, often set against historical backdrops, blend reality with fantasy, showcasing the inner world of characters. His notable novels include 'The Go-Between' and 'The House in the Woods'. more

You May Also Like

“The estate stayed with me long after I moved elsewhere, partly in the form of a strange kind of vertigo when presented with opportunities and experiences I’d grown up assuming were far beyond my reach. I also felt its presence as early as my first term at university, when I got it into my head that everyone in the student union bar wanted to hear a version of my life story which crossed the “books on prescription” section of the library with Monty Python’s Four Yorkshiremen sketch.”

“I don't want to be included. Instead, I want to question who created the standard in the first place. After a lifetime of embodying difference, I have no desire to be equal. I want to deconstruct the structural power of a system that marked me out as different. I don't wish to be assimilated into the status quo. I want to be liberated from all the negative assumptions that my characteristics bring. The same onus is not on me to change. Instead it's the world around me..”