The Red Convertible Quotes

“Earth and sky touch everywhere and nowhere, like sex between two strangers. There is no definition and no union for sure. ("The Antelope Wife")”
― Louise Erdrich, The Red Convertible: Selected and New Stories, 1978-2008

“When we're young, we think we are the only species worth knowing. But the more I come to know people, the better I like ravens. ("Revival Road”
― Louise Erdrich, The Red Convertible: Selected and New Stories, 1978-2008

“There was still blood going down Henry's chin, but he didn't notice it and no one said anything, even though every time he took a bite of his bread his blood fell onto it until he was eating his own blood mixed in with the food.”
― Louise Erdrich, The Red Convertible

“There is nothing more vengeful and determined in this world than a cowboy with sore balls, and Gerry soon found out. He also found that white people are good witnesses to have on your side since they have names, addresses, social security numbers, and work phones. But they are terrible witnesses to have against you, almost as bad as having Indians witness for you. ("Scales")”
― Louise Erdrich, The Red Convertible: Selected and New Stories, 1978-2008

“He simply knew he did not belong in prison, although he admitted it had done him some good at eighteen, when he hadn't known how to be a criminal and so had taken lessons from professionals. Now that he knew all there was to know, however, he couldn't see the point of staying in prison and taking the same lessons over and over. "A hate factory" he called it once, and said it manufactured black poisons in his stomach that he couldn't get rid of although he poked a finger down his throat and retched and tried to be a clean and normal person in spite of everything. ("Scales")”
― Louise Erdrich, The Red Convertible: Selected and New Stories, 1978-2008

“It is difficult for a woman to admit that she gets along with her own mother. Somehow, it seems a form of betrayal. So few do. To join in the company of women, to be adults, we go through a period of proudly boasting of having survived our mothers' indifference, anger, overpowering love, the burden of their pain, their tendency to drink or teetotal, their warmth or coldness, praise or criticism, sexual confusion or embarrassing clarity. It isn't enough that our mothers sweated, labored, bore their daughters nobly or under total anesthesia or both. No. They must be responsible for our psychic weaknesses for the rest of their lives. It is all right to forgive our fathers. We all know that. But our mothers are held to a standard so exacting that it has no principles. They simply must be to blame. ("Revival Road")”
― Louise Erdrich, The Red Convertible: Selected and New Stories, 1978-2008

“But is it proper for the young to be so disappointing? ("Revival Road")”
― Louise Erdrich, The Red Convertible: Selected and New Stories, 1978-2008