Book (June)

Re-reading Proust we find that a certain woman “keeps spouting books at you” and is, dismissive judgement, therefore tiresome. On the same page someone else is thought a good sort, even though it’s unlikely she’s read all ‘The Critique of Pure Reason’. Between these two criticisms the salon weaves, from expectations of being well-read and those of not advertising the fact. One will be choice in how quotes are quoted, be well-read and informed but wear it lightly. Other expectations are implied: one must be original but not too so, entertaining but not exhausting, slightly mysterious like a June night.