What Is Left the Daughter Quotes

“In The Highland Book of Platitudes, Marlais, there's an entry that reads, "Not all ghosts earn our memory in equal measure." I think about this sometimes. I think especially about the word "earn," because it implies an ongoing willful effort on the part of the dead, so that if you believe the platitude, you have to believe in the afterlife, don't you? Following that line of thought, there seem to be certain people—call them ghosts—with the ability to insinuate themselves into your life with more belligerence and exactitude than others—it's their employment and expertise.”
― Howard Norman, What Is Left the Daughter

“Early on, I'd got a sample of how Cornelia Tell questioned all motives for politeness. I'd sat down and said, "Would it be too much trouble if I got a scone with my coffee?" Cornelia Tell shot back, "Even if it does cause me trouble, do you still want a scone?" I never put it that way again, believe me. I just said, "I'd like a scone.”
― Howard Norman, What Is Left the Daughter

“I realize I've sometimes raced over the years like an ice skater fleeing the devil on a frozen river.”
― Howard Norman, What Is Left the Daughter

“A poem reaches out exactly halfway, then you reach out halfway, then see what happens. If your thinking's willful and generous toward a poem, the poem'll be equally those things back. As for meaning, it'll mean something different to each person.”
― Howard Norman, What Is Left the Daughter