Books Quote by Nicole Krauss
““I, too, like to read. Once a month, I go to the local branch. For myself, I pick a novel and, for Bruno, with his cataracts, a book on tape. At first Bruno was doubtful. “What am I supposed to do with this?” he said, looking at the box set of “Anna Karenina” as if I’d handed him an enema. And yet. A day or two later I was going about my business when a voice from above bellowed, ALL HAPPY FAMILIES RESEMBLE ONE ANOTHER, nearly giving me a conniption. After that, he listened to whatever I’d brought him at top volume and then returned it to me without comment. One afternoon, I came back from the library with Ulysses. For a month straight he listened. He had a habit of pressing the stop button and rewinding when he hadn’t fully grasped something. INELUCTABLE MODALITY OF THE VISIBLE: AT LEAST THAT. Pause, rewind. INELUCTABLE MODALITY OF THE. Pause, rewind. INELUCTABLE MODALITY. Pause. INELUCT.””
About This Quote
Source Interview: The Art of Listening, Nicole Krauss, 2018
A blind man learns to enjoy literature through audiobooks, discovering joy in repeated listening and pausing to fully grasp meaning.
In simple terms: Blindness doesn’t stop reading; audiobooks let him experience stories deeply.
Key Takeaway
Embrace repeated listening and pausing for deeper understanding.
Themes
disability
literature
adaptation
Mood
reflective
empathetic
thoughtful
Type
personal
inspirational
When to use this quote
- library visits
- audio book clubs
- learning new media
- mindful listening
Key Concepts
audiobook listening
patience
sensory adaptation
Questions to Reflect On
- How does pausing change your engagement with a story?
- What other senses can enrich reading?
A Different Perspective
Reliance on audio may limit visual imagination.
