The Library Deeps
They opened the door and stepped in.
They stopped.
The library deeps lay waiting for them.
Out in the world, not much happened. But here in the special night, a land bricked with paper and leather, anything might happen, always did. Listen! and you heard ten thousand people screaming so high only dogs feathered their ears. A million folk ran toting cannons, sharpening guillotines; Chinese, four abreast, marched on forever. Invisible, silent, yes, but Jim and Will had the gift of ears and noses as well as the gift of tongues. This was a factory of spices from far countries. Here alien deserts slumbered. Up front was the desk where the nice old lady, Miss Watriss, purple-stamped your books, but down off away were Tibet and Antarctica, the Congo. There went Miss Wills, the other librarian, though Outer Mongolia, calmly toting fragments of Peiping and Yokohama and the Celebes.
-Ray Bradbury, Something Wicked This Way Comes
One of my absolute favorite quotes from Something Wicked This Way Comes! Excellent choice.
I haven’t read this book, but love the quote! And isn’t that an absolutely gorgeous library in that photo?
Greetings,
Tiina
Beautiful, inviting image paired with a favorite quote. Thanks for the morning boost!
I want to be there with my hot tea.
I’ve never thought of myself as “calmly toting fragments” of anything, but I love that imagery! When I get back to work next week I’m sure that will stick in my head.
Wow.
Talk about a trip to my past. I miss the purple stamp and the ancient library lady…
And I would love to curl up in a chair in that room and spend an rainy afternoon there.
Thanks, Eva.
cjh
Glad you enjoyed it CJ! :)
Beautiful quote, Eva! Makes me nostalgic about Ray Bradbury – his love for books comes through in every sentence! I love that picture you have posted too – so beautiful!
Ahhh … Bradbury’s depiction of the library is one of my very favorite parts of “Something Wicked…”. That photo you found makes me want to just climb into it and stay for a very long time :)
I know! I was debating between this bit and the one where they’re hiding in the library. His descriptions are so magical. :)
Oh so lovely, especially as winter hits!
That library is just the sort of place we had in mind when we decorated our home.
It didn’t really work though. Our home is much too small to pull of a look like that.
But I love it.
I love it too, although I doubt I’ll ever have a home bigger enough to pull it off! I’ll have to go for a cosier look. ;)
What a fantastic quote! Can’t wait to hear more about this book.
I actually read this back in 2007! I posted about it back then. I really need to read more Bradbury. :)
I read Something Wicked This Way Comes years ago and hardly remember it, but this quote makes me want to revisit it. While sitting in that library!
I love this quote too…it’s been copied out into my commonplace book (along with a lot of other Bradbury) Love this picture as well — makes me want to curl up in a comfy chair and spend the entire week reading.
Love the quote and sure wish I could sit in that library and read for awhile!