Paintings (Sexing the Cherry)

Empty space and light. For us, empty space is space empty of people. The sea blue-black at night, stretched on a curve under the curve of the sky, blue-black and pinned with silver stars that never need polish. The Arctic, where the white snow is the white of nothing and defies the focus of the eye. Forests and rain forests and waterfalls that roar down the hollows of rocks. Deserts like a burning fire. Paintings show us how light affects us, for to live is to live in time and not be conscious of it, except in the most obvious ways. Paintings are light caught and held like a genie in a jar. The energy is trapped for ever, concentrated, unable to disperse.

Still life is dancing life. The dancing life of light.

~Sexing the Cherry (Jeanette Winterson)

Sexing the Cherry (Jeanette Winterson)

I'm sure if you just read the title of my current book, Sexing the Cherry might be a bit of a turnoff to some of you because of the obvious connotations that are attached to it. However, don't let that deter you from reading this rather engaging piece of magical realism. Currently, I'm about halfway through, and I love it!

Normally, I like to give a description myself, but since I've not finished yet (and to be honest, it's a bit hard to explain), I'd recommend checking out a quick summary of the book here. Don't worry; no spoilers, and it might just peak your interest.

The reason I'm posting this prematurely (well...before finishing) is because I'm finding some wonderful quotes as progress through the book, and I wanted to share them with all of you as I came across them. So, expect a few days worth of quotes in the weeks to come :)