Just started it, and I can see why people might compare it to 1984. Getting ready for the book discussion in March in Madrid.

I am surprised by Stevie Smith. In a good way.

Yet despite the harshness and demands of life, kindness persists. A slow and determined message of hope riding along a superhighway of reactivity and emotion, each small kindness given or received is evidence that life is worthwhile.

"Ah really, what does my opinion matter anymore? I am paint and memory, Harry, paint and memory..." -Dumbledore

This book kept me up at night. It was horrifying.

'"No," she said, "I haven't killed anyone-not yet, I haven't. But don't think I'm a peaceful old lady who sits by the fire and knits, because I'm not. I'm a hard bitten old hellion."'

"Who will buy me an orange/Just to console me?/A ripe orange/Shaped like a heart."
"The salt of the sea on my lips,/Ah me!/The salt of the sea I gathered/In my veins and upon my lips."