Books Quote by Colm Tóibin
![“...in one of his Irish Times columns written under the name of Myles na gCopaleen, [Flann] O’Brien offered a service to readers who owned books but did not open them. For a fee, books would be handled, with passages underlined or spines damaged or words such as ‘Rubbish’ or ‘Yes, but cf Homer, Od…” quote by Colm Tóibin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/586/colm-toibin-3377_books_in-one-of-his-irish-times-columns-writte_684539.jpg)
““...in one of his Irish Times columns written under the name of Myles na gCopaleen, [Flann] O’Brien offered a service to readers who owned books but did not open them. For a fee, books would be handled, with passages underlined or spines damaged or words such as ‘Rubbish’ or ‘Yes, but cf Homer, Od. iii, 151’ or ‘I remember poor Joyce saying the same thing to me’ written in the margins. Or inscriptions on the title page such as ‘From your devoted friend and follower, K. Marx.’" --"Flann O'Brien's Lies," Colm Tóibin, London Review of Books, Jan. 5, 2012””
About This Quote
Source Article: “Flann O'Brien's Lies,” London Review of Books, Jan. 5, 2012
A satirical service offering to annotate books for owners, blending humor, literary critique, and absurdity.
In simple terms: A playful, fake book‑annotation service.
Key Takeaway
Consider the absurdity of over‑analysis.
Themes
humor
literature
absurdity
Mood
witty
ironic
Type
satirical
commentary
When to use this quote
- book clubs
- literary criticism
- creative writing workshops
Key Concepts
satire
meta‑commentary
Questions to Reflect On
- What does this parody reveal about our relationship to texts?
- How might humor change the way we critique literature?
A Different Perspective
May trivialize genuine literary engagement.
