November 2, 2010

A transfer of substance

“Once a book falls into our possession, it is ours, the same way children lay their claim: “That’s my book.” As if it were organically a part of them. That must be why we have so much trouble returning borrowed books. It’s not exactly theft (of course not, we’re not thieves. What are you implying?); it’s simply a slippage of ownership or, better still, a transfer of substance. That which belonged to someone else becomes mine when I look at it. And if I like what I read, naturally I’ll have difficulty giving it back.” –Daniel Pennac, Better than Life (which I’ve finished reading, so you’ll be relieved to know that this is my final quote from it).