I saw one of those online Q&As this week that travel through the Internet. This particular one listed a series of partial statements like I wish, I want and I am, and the exercise was to complete the statement. One of the statements was I wonder and the response I saw that interested me was ... Who wrote the book of love.
I found that response both clever and interesting. Clever because it was a nod to the 1950's hit by the Monotones, I Wonder Who Wrote the Book of Love. Interesting because it made me think about who it was that wrote my own book. Immediately in my mind I thought ... I hope there is a sequel.
I have read many books over the years and, often as I read that last sentence at the ending I would wish there was more to the story. I wish for more if the ending was not a good one because I usually want things to work out for the characters. I want them to end up happy. I wish for more when the ending is happy...because I want to experience that happiness with the characters for a time. I want to see evidence that things can and do work out...even if it is in just fiction. I like it when a writer will leave that door open just a crack, just enough to allow for possibility. Just enough to allow for something more. I like to believe there might be more to come. More to come... someday.
I have the same wish about life and about love. I hope there is a sequel because I always want things to work out. I hope the possibility of a different ending is left open. I hope that there is another story that hasn't yet been told. A better story, a more satisfying story. A real love story.
Who wrote the book of love?
I found that response both clever and interesting. Clever because it was a nod to the 1950's hit by the Monotones, I Wonder Who Wrote the Book of Love. Interesting because it made me think about who it was that wrote my own book. Immediately in my mind I thought ... I hope there is a sequel.
I have read many books over the years and, often as I read that last sentence at the ending I would wish there was more to the story. I wish for more if the ending was not a good one because I usually want things to work out for the characters. I want them to end up happy. I wish for more when the ending is happy...because I want to experience that happiness with the characters for a time. I want to see evidence that things can and do work out...even if it is in just fiction. I like it when a writer will leave that door open just a crack, just enough to allow for possibility. Just enough to allow for something more. I like to believe there might be more to come. More to come... someday.
I have the same wish about life and about love. I hope there is a sequel because I always want things to work out. I hope the possibility of a different ending is left open. I hope that there is another story that hasn't yet been told. A better story, a more satisfying story. A real love story.
Who wrote the book of love?
I didn't write it but I do hope there is a sequel.
Indeed.
2 comments:
My first reaction to "Who wrote 'the book of love'?" was Brian Ferry of Roxy Music. Just seems like one of his songs.
To have a sequel to the book of love would imply that love has come to an end, or a major change and you want to see what comes after. I prefer everlasting love, a solid on-going companionship. I don't really want any of my loving relationship, be they amorous, family or friendships, to end really.
I have read many books over the year where I wish the first paragraph were the end. I usually give up after a chapter or so.
I don't think I've wanted sequels, even for very well written books, in a very long time. Sure, it's nice to build characters and stories over a longer period (Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter), but for sheer commercial gain (Bill the Galactic Hero and the Planet of Tasteless Pleasures) or contractual obligation (Mostly Harmless), they lose their way.
I do want more books by the same writers, trying their voices in different directions. Of course, not every voice sounds as good to my ear. There are very few authors (composers, directors, actors too) who I like every creation by.
There must be two versions of the book of love, there's the one that everyone seems to have read, where everything if fervent, steamy, impulsive, with furious battles of wills and making up only to fight again. Such tumultuous, arrogant, possessive love where one party sees the strengths of their partner, and cannot abide, and must change, their "weaknesses" is not the one for me.
There is a second book, from an underground publisher which emerged, probably in the beatnik era. That publisher printed a work by an honest, and caring young person. Their book is not a Hollywood epic, not a supermarket top 10 book list book. Actually, it's calm conservative words probably didn't even gain a Booker or Caldicott or any such literary prize.
This cult version of the book of love shows how an earnest friendship can be something more, which builds a caring home full of love. Two people who can live in each others orbits, and bring a new beauty to each others lives. There is an Apache wedding blessing, one line of which is "you are now two people, but there is one life before you". This was the inspiration for the real book of love.
If there is resurrection, then it's not an on-going, but a re-start. You are excluded from your pasts and your futures, you only know this you. Life's sequel isn't a sequel. Existence may be a touring troupe of actors, walking this mortal stage and telling a story. Next time through it will be a different story, and cast differently.
On an aside, a beautiful "ghost" story is "Kitchen" by the (then) young Banana Yoshimoto. If you have a chance to read it, do so. It is very well written.
Just quick random thoughts.
You know, I seem to come off quite cynical in some of my replies, and often contrary to the original thoughts in the post.
I'm not that cynical (I hope), and I actually do agree in a lot of respects. I do want happy endings.
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