We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves

by Karen Joy Fowler

Language does this to our memories—simplifies, solidifies, codifies, mummifies. An oft-told story is like a photograph in a family album; eventually, it replaces the moment it was meant to capture.

the word being is much more important than the word human.

“You can’t imagine the white-hot fury someone who can’t sleep feels toward the beautiful dreamer beside him.”