Blind Quote by Cees Nooteboom
“So-called real life has only once interfered with me, and it had been a far cry from what the words, lines, books had prepared me for. Fate had to do with blind seers, oracles, choruses announcing death, not with panting next to the refrigerator, fumbling with condoms, waiting in a Honda parked round the corner and surreptitious encounters in a Lisbon hotel. Only the written word exists, everything one must do oneself is without form, subject to contingency without rhyme or reason. It takes too long. And if it ends badly the metre isn't right, and there's no way to cross things out.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Following Story, Cees Nooteboom, 1991
The gap between literary expectations and lived reality is vast; real life is messy, unpredictable, and lacks the neat structure of written narratives.
In simple terms: Life is messier than books predict.
Key Takeaway
Accept uncertainty and act despite lack of script.
Themes
reality
expectation
uncertainty
Mood
melancholic
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
reflective
When to use this quote
- travel
- career changes
- personal crises
Key Concepts
narrative
contingency
existentialism
Questions to Reflect On
- What expectations from stories have you found unrealistic?
- How do you navigate life without a clear script?
A Different Perspective
Literary ideals can create unrealistic standards; not all experiences fit a narrative arc.
