Martha, I have too many books on my shelf. How can I add Rose Madder? Your review wants me to put it on "the list."
4) Rosie thinks about how Norman always refers to prostitutes as gals. "She had never realized until this moment how much she had hated that back-of-the-throat word. Gals. Like a sound you might make when you were trying hard not to vomit." (page 141) I'll never hear or read gal again without thinking of that. Or, at a minimum, clearing my throat.
Rosie is thinking about troubles she had when she first arrived in the really big city. "These recollections possessed her mind wholly for a little while, as only our worst recollections can." (page 86) Yeah, Powers-That-Be, why can't the good memories haunt us like that? Or maybe, for people with no self doubts, people like John McCain or George W. Bush, the good memories do.
Crazy Norman is kicking in the door to Rosie's room.
and finally
Or, for a more academic comparison, Perry Miller, a writer on Colonial literature, actually footnoting himself.
Excuse me, I think I'll try to find a picture I can walk into. I have a few down in my Alabama Football room!
Kathy
