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Books Quote by John Williams

“It hardly mattered to him that [his] book was forgotten and that it served no use; and the question of its worth at any time seemed almost trivial...He let his fingers riffle through the pages and felt a tingling, as if those pages were alive… The fingers loosened, and the book they had held moved…” quote by John Williams
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““It hardly mattered to him that [his] book was forgotten and that it served no use; and the question of its worth at any time seemed almost trivial...He let his fingers riffle through the pages and felt a tingling, as if those pages were alive… The fingers loosened, and the book they had held moved slowly and then swiftly across the still body and fell into the silence of the room.””

John Williams

About This Quote

Source Book: The Book of Lost Things by John Williams, 1973

The passage reflects on the fleeting significance of a forgotten book, yet finds a sensory, almost magical connection with its pages as they move on their own.

In simple terms: Even forgotten books can feel alive and move us.

Key Takeaway

Notice the subtle ways objects affect us.

Themes

memory transience sensory experience

Mood

reflective melancholic

Type

literary philosophical

When to use this quote

  • reading a neglected novel
  • exploring an old diary
  • visiting a library
  • contemplating personal artifacts

Key Concepts

nostalgia embodiment materiality

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do physical objects hold meaning for you?
  • What sensations arise when you touch something old?
A Different Perspective

The emotional impact may be limited to those who value physical books.

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