March 24, 2011

WATCH YOUR FEET

William Golding, Lord of the Flies (1954), with preface by Ian McEwan, & illustrations by Sam Weber (London: The Folio Society, 2009) ("The tide was coming in and there was only a narrow strip of firm beach between the water and the white, stumbling stiff near the palm terrace. Ralph chose the firm strip as a path because he needed to think; and only here could he allow his feet to move without having to watch them. Suddenly, pacing by the water, he was overcome with astonishment. He found himself understanding the wearisomeness of this life, where every path was an improvisation and a considerable part of one's waking life was spent watching one's feet. He stopped, facing the strip; and remembering that first enthusiastic exploration as though it were part of a brighter childhood, he smiled jeeringly. He turned then and walked back towards the platform with the sun in his face. . . ." Id. at 82.).