• Author: Ian McEwan
  • Full Title: Lessons
  • Tags: #Inbox #books

Highlights

  • It became a hindrance—whatever he was doing, he was pursued by an idea of a greater freedom elsewhere, some emancipated life just beyond reach, one that would be denied him if he made unbreakable commitments. He missed many chances that way and submitted to periods of prolonged boredom. (Location 790)
  • He was waiting for existence to part like a curtain, for a hand to extend and help him step through into a paradise regained. (Location 792)
  • In your mid-thirties you could begin to ask what kind of person you were. The first long run of turbulent young adulthood was over. So too was excusing yourself by reference to your background. Insufficient parents? A lack of love? Too much of it? Enough, no more excuses. You had friends of a dozen years or more. You could see your reflection in their eyes. You could or should have been in and out of love. You would have spent useful time alone. You had a measure of public life and your relation to it. Your responsibilities would be pressing in, helping to define you. (Location 1697)
  • I could never let go and be joyful and love the life I had with my daughter. (Location 3253)
  • You think of your child as your dependant. Then, as he starts to pull away, you discover that you are a dependant too. It had always cut both ways. (Location 4653)