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Quote by Paul Theroux

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Ghost Train to the Eastern Star

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Paul Theroux
Paul Theroux

Paul Theroux, born on April 10, 1941, is a renowned film writer from the United States. Theroux is known for his distinctive style of storytelling, which often delves into profound life philosophies and social issues. more

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“O río aínda collía uns anacos da lúa vella, de lúa podre, de anaco de cabazo podre que se despenaba, de manteiga amarela, de luz pegañosa, polas restrebas escorrendo a se derreter por embaixo dos piñeiros de Santa Ladaíña a retrincos aínda máis vermellos, como cando vin o ferro vivo na fundición de Malingre ou o ferro na fragua do Catapiro no primeiro instante da auga, agora sen chiar, alumando de preguiza, sen renxer, manseliño polas restrebas; todo tépedo, calado, arrecendendo a río do verán, á espesidume do cheiro do verán, ás pozas mornas do verán, a cabazo podre, a lúa morta aformentada do verán, escorregando até os enchoupos do brión, cos retrincos de luz amarela, morredía, na auga encol dos cachóns múos do verán, e tantas arrás na espesidume do seu canto no cheiro da lama do verán, e a luz vermella nas pozas e limos apegadizos, e nos coiñais dunha soa cor an espesidume do ar do verán e as sombras medrando medrando, afundíndose, estendéndose sen se ver xa a outra beira do río, xa con présa como apagándose todo decontado, e puña medo.”

“A paisaxe non ten o ledo verdor das terras cháns e abertas que Pedro alvistou dende o tren. O coche vai rolando, a tombos, por gándaras ermas e lombos areosos; baixa polas abas dun monte cuberto con herbas do demo, para caer en tremedales de xuncos; gabea por outeiros con alfarrobeiras e corre por chairas tiñosas. Xa decorreron moitas horas de andadura, a rolar por soedades, e no devalo do día, aparece un casal, alá no fondo, á veira dunha lagoa, espello morto de augas salitrosas.”

“Souls of poets dead and gone, What Elysium have ye known, Happy field or mossy cavern, Choicer than the Mermaid Tavern? Have ye tippled drink more fine Than mine host's Canary wine?” Sweeter than those dainty pies Of venison? O generous food! Drest though bold Robin Hood Would, wit his maid Marian, Sup and bowse from horn and can “I have heard that on a day Mine host's sign-board flew away, Nobody knew whither, till An astrologer's old quill To a sheepskin gave the story, Said he saw you in your glory, Underneath a new old sign Sipping beverage divine, And pledging with contented smack The Mermaid in the Zodiac.”

“Nearly every writer writes a book with a great amount of attention and intention and hopes and dreams. And it's important to take that effort seriously and to recognize that a book may have taken ten years of a writer's life, that the writer has put heart and soul into it. And it behooves us, as book-review-editors, to treat those books with the care and attention they deserve, and to give the writer that respect." Pamela Paul, New York Times Book Review editor, in a Poets & Writer's interview (something for all reviewers to think about)”

“As you set out on your journey to Ithaca, pray that your journey be a long one, filled with adventure, filled with discovery. Laestrygonians and Cyclopes, the angry Poseidon--do not fear them: you'll never find such things on your way unless your sight is set high, unless a rare excitement stirs your spirit and your body. The Laestrygonians and Cyclopes, the savage Poseidon--you won't meet them so long as you do not admit them to your soul, as long as your soul does not set them before you. Pray that your road is a long one. May there be many summer mornings when with what pleasure, with what joy, you enter harbors never seen before. May you stop at Phoenician stations of trade to buy fine things, mother of pearl and coral, amber and ebony, and voluptuous perfumes of every kind-- buy as many voluptuous perfumes as you can. And may you go to many Egyptian cities to learn and learn from those who know. Always keep Ithaca in your mind. You are destined to arrive there. But don't hurry your journey at all. Far better if it takes many years, and if you are old when you anchor at the island, rich with all you have gained on the way, not expecting that Ithaca will give you wealth. Ithaca has given you a beautiful journey. Without her you would never have set out. She has no more left to give you. And if you find her poor, Ithaca has not mocked you. As wise as you have become, so filled with experience, you will have understood what these Ithacas signify.”