Hi Moffers!
there are so many goods passages in Lila.
My first thought went immediately to the Giant section , but after Diana's
post I searched for another one.
In chapter 10 (I don't quote it) the Captain and Lila are talking, just to
become acquainted each other. Maybe for Lila is not so easy to talk about
herself, so she answers to the Captain's questions showing him something she
founds "important": the picture of a boat for Florida tourists. He finds a
low value in that kind of things: he tries to say it's to "static", it's
just an illusion you can buy, but he can only make her angry.
I live nearby Rimini, famous to be the "Italian Miami". We have 50 miles of
coast, full of discos, hotels, beaches... and boats for tourists. In summer
I often go to a beach where a boat comes every morning; then starts a loud
multilingual notice to invite people to a wonderful trip...
"Signore e Signori...
"Herren und Damen..
"Mesdames et Messieurs..
"Ladies and Gentlemen....
after some minute you can see a lot of people (or sheep?) mounting on a
ferry to reach the boat. They will come back late in the afternoon,
everyone smiling, with their camera full of pictures.
I've never been on board of that boat. Usually we "native" don't have this
kind of trips. We know they aren't "true". Maybe also a lot of tourists know
it, but they're however happy.
Why it's so hard to surpass appearances? Why it's so usual to accept easy
solutions? Why people fear fantasy, creativity, art?
"Maybe one morning walking in air
of dry glass, I'll turn and see the miracle occur -
nothingness at my shoulders, the void
behind me - with a drunkard's terror.
Then, as on a screen, the usual illusion:
hills houses trees will suddenly reassemble,
but too late, and I'll quietly go my way,
with my secret, among men who don't look back. "
This Eugenio Montale's poem (translation by William Arrowsmith) is maybe my
favorite. I always hope I'll be able to turn around rapidly and to be able
to perceive a sparkle of reality, just for a while, among all this fiction.
I'm however sure that even if I'll be able to do it, the most people will go
on liking best the usual illusions.
Reading Lila has been for me a good help in this impossible search for
reality.
Lila gives the reader the force to go on, without resting after the first
easy solution. Lila helps the reader to look deeper and deeper and deeper.
Forever.
This book gave me some good answers, but also - and this is the main point -
left me the pleasure to search for a new one.
Marco.
p.s.
I don't want to "add gasoline to the fire" (Italian proverb), but I also
felt John B.'s post too hard. Sorry, Rocky and John, but I want to say I'm
on Denis' side.
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