Re: [Mean Eyed Cat: Atticus & Sue]
"You made it a thing," he said of parents of children. "Is what they are, isn't it? Or prefer not to think of it that way?" Asked it mildly, casually, and the love story Sue followed up with wasn't informative. "Don't try to make that into a book. Isn't descriptive enough. Would even be wanting on the back cover. Am sorry, though. Don't have any siblings, but sounds rough. Would make a good story, though." Atticus often brought things back around to books. Literature. Novels. Could easily blame that on a life without many close relationships, but was more likely just a genuine passion. Loved words. Simple.
"Talk like a therapist. Am a teacher. Teenagers. Probably as close to being a therapist as a person can be without being a therapist. Have kids we're assigned, clubs we supervise. All therapeutic," he admitted. Was true. Was a lazy man. Was disinclined to involve himself heavily in other people's lives, but he had developed a habit now. Not precisely as a therapist, since he wasn't about unbiased listening. But was concerned about the paths he saw in front of younger people. Guessed the therapist label was as good as any. Also noticed that he referred to himself as a teacher in the present tense. Something to consider once the bookstore was on its feet.
"Lolita, despite being thematically problematic, is a good book. Well written. Good lines that capture the visual imagination. Don't think it's necessarily a bad thing to write about bad topics. Humbert Humbert is a despicable man, but think that doesn't invalidate telling his story. Not all people are heroic. Not all people are good, so not all protagonists should be either. Flowers in the Attic is dreck. Badly written, salacious dreck that exists for YA audiences to experience taboo subjects. Want a good incest novel, read Ada, or Ardor. Also Nabokov."
Was on a roll. In his element. Favorite subject, but his cell rang and he pulled it out of his pocket. Was late, but the number belonged to his construction manager in the capital. Answered, but addressed Sue as he put his stick back on the rack. "Have to take this. Good luck finding someone to take home. Look me up on the forums. Can talk literature," he offered.
Tossed some money on the end of the pool table. "Buy yourself a drink on me."