12 February 2011

Well Said: Patricia Highsmith



"Obsessions are the only things that matter."

So wrote noir novelist Patricia Highsmith (1921—1995), masterful writer of books that biographer Joan Schenkar has called "brilliantly disorienting narratives of ... shimmering negativity."

8 comments:

HOBAC said...

Especially to the obsessed. I speak from experience.

Anonymous said...

Oh, I don't know if I agree with that. Such things lead to a house full of china elephants or worse.

Paul Pincus said...

Pretty wicked quote!

Tracy F. said...

"Negativity" is right! I looked her up and she sounds like a disturbingly negative human being. Do any of us need that kind of influence in our lives? It seems far better to attempt to fill our lives with people, literature, experiences, etc. that bring positive energy to our lives.

An Aesthete's Lament said...

Ah, but her writing is wonderful, and the worlds she created so memorably disturbing. I could read them over and again.

Claudia Juestel said...

I would say, "Passion is what matters."

Cheers,

Claudia

Paul Pincus said...

I hope it's okay to weigh in again?!

I think we can agree that some negativity, particularly shimmering negativity, is (or should be) essential in life and art and literature and especially friends...if you're lucky!! xo

Notes From ABroad said...

Oh I agree ! Well said, Indeed !
I love Patricia Highsmith's writing ..
And remember, you can't have Positive without Negative.