Seabird

[thrihyrne]

When I read the last couple of chapters of Philip Pullman’s “His Dark Materials,” I knew that I needed:

a) a glass of wine
b) tissues

I had both, and was grateful for them as I indulged myself the final hour of divine readership when I finished reading the last book in the trilogy. I adore the books. I want my own daemon. Though, knowing me, as glamorous as I would wish for my creature to be (say a sea lion, perhaps, or a hawk), I’m rather sure that it would be a raccoon. Nocturnal, rutting around through other people’s trash, but very clever with its hands.

I had both a glass of wine and tissues as I read licia_north’s original story, Seabird, this evening, after watching “A.I.”. I printed it up yesterday when I swung by the office in the sixteenth day of every day feeling like a lifetime. I should look older than I do. It’s a quarter to midnight, and I was really determined to get a decent night’s sleep, but now I’ve given up. If you never hear from me again, it’s because I’ve gone to Nova Scotia, changed my name, and become licia’s agent.

Anyway, back to Seabird. It’s 80% complete, I believe. I had read the first two-thirds of it, I suppose, probably a couple of months ago, and was stunned by it. Now I am completely overwhelmed. Every sentence. Every frigging word is beautiful, and heartbreaking. I’m crying now. I’m giving up writing. Please, go read her story, and revel in the glory of what high art in writing can be.

If you aren’t convinced, I’ll just quote a few lines to show you what you’re missing.

They go into town. Niamh asks for the hand-holding, and the sky doesn’t mind. Too early to complain. Too early to be drunk with rain and soot-laden clouds. When that sugared hand takes Seabird’s, it feels like porcelain he should fear to break, but also it feels like the rare smile from the pulpit, when the sunlight falls through colored glass onto the open pages of Samuel.

Don’t expect to hear from me for a while.

Comments

[helveticat.livejournal.com]

That REALLY makes me want to do the other 20%.

<3 <3 <3