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White Oleander [[quotes]]

(picture there for the hell of it - not for inspiration)


Okay, reopened again for more entries.

I'm away in South Africa for two weeks, so I'm leaving it open whilst I'm gone, hoping to see loads more amazing entries. Don't let me down

So, I'm reading this amazing book called White Oleander. I haven't watched the movie, but I don't intend to, because I'm enjoying the book immensely, and don't want it ruined. (No, I have no faith in Hollywood)

But yes, back on topic - this book is awesomly narrated, and has interesting characters. These are the quotes that have come to mind so far, off the top of my head. I will be adding more, so come back and check if there's nothing here that catches your eye.

First of all - please tell me which quote that has inspired you. Otherwise, you have pretty much free reign, and take your entry wherever you will.

(Number of HMs will increase, but for the sake of my obsessive nature, it stays with 5 overall awards until judging)

Also, if you have an issue with punctuation (yes, I honestly have had complaints) then just remember these are DIRECT QUOTES. I'd put in question marks and such, but it's not my piece of literature, so I won't.


1 ♦ “Isn’t it funny. I’m enjoying my hatred so much more than I ever enjoyed love. Love is temperamental. Tiring. It makes demands. Love uses you. Changes its mind. But hatred, now. That’s something you can use. Sculpt. Wield. It’s hard or soft, however you need it. Love humiliates you, but hatred cradles you. It’s so soothing.”

2 ♦ “I was bad, I had done bad things, I had hurt people, and the worst of it was, I didn’t want to stop.”

3 ♦ “Loneliness is the human condition. Cultivate it. The way it tunnels into you allows your soul to grow. Never expect to outgrow loneliness. Never hope to find people that will understand you, someone to fill that space.”

4 ♦ “I screamed, knowing there was no one. It was a dream I’d had before, but now there was no awakening, and I prayed to Jesus the hopeless way people pray who know there is no God.”

5 ♦ “I liked it better this way. Beauty was deceptive. I would rather wear my pain, my ugliness.”

6 ♦ “I know what you are learning to endure. There is nothing to be done. Just make sure nothing is wasted. Take notes. Remember it all, every insult, every tear. Tattoo it on the inside of your mind. In life, knowledge of poisons is essential.”

7 ♦ “I tried not to make it worse by asking for things, pulling her down with my thoughts. I had seen girls clamour for new clothes and complain about what their mothers made them for dinner. I was mortified. Didn’t they know they were tying their mothers to the ground? Weren’t chains ashamed of their prisoners?”

8 ♦ "What can I say about life? Do I praise it for letting you live or damn it for allowing the rest?"

9 ♦ "So interesting that she was always the heroine, the outlaw, one against the rest. Never the villain."

10 ♦ "You know the mistrust of heights is the mistrust of self, you don't know whether you're going to jump."

11 ♦ "I wanted to tell her not to entertain despair like this. Despair wasn't a guest, you didn't play its favourite music, find it a comfortable chair. Despair was the enemy."

12 ♦ "If a person needed something badly, it was my experience it would surely be taken away. I didn't need to put mirrors on the roof to know that."

13 ♦ "It scared me when she said perfect. Perfect was always too much to ask."

14 ♦ "I laughed, bitter as nightshade. Maybe it was an accident. What wasn't an accident. Who wasn't."

15 ♦ "All the bad dreams. This was exactly where I belonged. For once I didn't feel out of place. Even with my mother, I was always holding my breath, waiting for something to happen, for her not to come home, for some disaster."



More to come. Enter as many times as you will.

Contest is Over

  • Contest was judged on April 16, 2008
  • Rewards: Gold: 300, Silver: 200, Bronze: 100, Honorable mention: 3 people
  • Final notes:
    Okay, once again, I know this took longer to judge than I should've taken, but jetlag and such really took the best of me this time!

    If there are any entries I didn't comment on, please tell me ASAP and I'll make up for it

    This contest really impressed me. I wish I could've given more awards, because this was quite simply amazing. The variety of ideas from the quotes! Wow. Thanks guys!

Contest Winners

  1. by And Hyetal 26 lines, 8 comments, on Mar 2 4:55 PM 2008. In Love
    Gold trophy winner
    • Commented on by judge. [remove]
  2. They were pretty enough to eat.
    by Sprite 31 lines, 8 comments, on Mar 17 9:03 AM 2008
    Silver trophy winner
    • Commented on by judge. [remove]
  3. Error: Unable to find finalist item 4025413, it seems to have been deleted :( [remove]
  4. There are no surprises when
    My eyes slid down at late hours…
    by Marcy Anna 28 lines, 3 comments, on Mar 24 5:59 PM 2008
    Honorable mention
    • Commented on by judge. [remove]
  5. by WindUpEnigma 28 lines, 3 comments, on Apr 11 7:16 AM 2008. In Personal, Abuse, Weird
    Honorable mention
    • Commented on by judge. [remove]
  6. Though the shame had fallen from my mouth,
    thudded to the floor like dull dreams that couldn't shatter,
    by Gl1tt3rn1nj4 16 lines, 1 comment, on Mar 17 11:01 AM 2008. In Abuse, Sad, Pain
    Honorable mention
    • Commented on by judge. [remove]

Entries [10]

1 - 10 of 10

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Comments

1 - 30 of 53     1 2  next >  (show all)

  • And Hyetal
    March 2, 2008
    Edit | Reply
    Psst, you need to add ; after your &diams.


  • Mrs. Mautino
    March 2, 2008
    Edit | Reply
    I watched the movie one day last summer when no one was home. It was definatly...interesting. But it was good, so don't be afraid to watch. I might just enter if I'm moved enough.


    • Viva La Vie Boheme
      March 2, 2008
      Edit | Reply
      Thanks! And maybe I will watch it sometime... I have to find it first. That's always a challenge.


  • Annalise
    March 2, 2008
    Edit | Reply
    Janet Finch is an amazing novelist. If you get the chance you should pick up a copy of Paint it Black. It's even better than White Oleander. Seriously.

    Yeah, don't watch the movie. It's actually a good movie, just is a let down if you read the book.

    • Viva La Vie Boheme
      March 2, 2008
      Edit | Reply
      I've heard that SO many times, but also that the title doesn't make sense if you haven't read the book... but I brushed past Paint it Black, contemplated getting it, but I've been meaning to get White Oleander for quite a while, so I settled with it. Paint it Black is next on my list though!¬

      • Annalise
        March 2, 2008
        Edit | Reply
        Yeah-- the movie only glosses over many of the more important parts of the book.

        Let me know what you think of Paint it Black... the worst part of the book is getting that dang Rolling Stones song out of your head. LOL

        • Viva La Vie Boheme
          March 2, 2008
          Edit | Reply
          I'm cursed with all Rolling Stones songs! They're earwigs, I think my friend calls them. They just dig deeper and deeper and a month later, you're still on the verge of insanity, singing the song!


  • Never Fall in Love
    March 2, 2008
    Edit | Reply
    I wish I had access to a copy - being in Spain sucks.

    • Viva La Vie Boheme
      March 2, 2008
      Edit | Reply
      Well, since I can practically recite it, I'd honestly send it to you... but my mother needs to read it, then my aunt, then... you know how it goes.


      • Never Fall in Love
        March 2, 2008
        Edit | Reply
        haha
        Oh, I definitely know
        Don't worry about it - I'll try not to forget when I get back home in summer

        • Viva La Vie Boheme
          March 2, 2008
          Edit | Reply
          Wahoo! Enjoy it! Dunno if it's your "type of book" but I'm sure you'll enjoy it.

          Spain sounds good right now... England is cooooool at the moment.

          • Never Fall in Love
            March 2, 2008
            Edit | Reply
            I enjoy all types of books - well, nt the ones that are poorly written, slow going, or love love love [if you get what I mean]

            England?! I'm planning to go here for university

            • Viva La Vie Boheme
              March 2, 2008
              Edit | Reply
              Sounds like me! And yeah, I know exactly what you mean. Love love love = certain death between covers.

              My university course is half in England, half in Amsterdam, it's awesome! I was originally gonna go to the USA for uni, but... decided against it. The money was a BIT of a set back

              • Never Fall in Love
                March 2, 2008
                Edit | Reply
                I was planning to go there as well - the paperwork was a problem [being a dutch resident]

                I wouldn't think money as a problem coming from england - after all, the exchange between pounds and dollars is a win-win situation

                • Viva La Vie Boheme
                  March 2, 2008
                  Edit | Reply
                  There is when you have a family like mine We only moved here two years ago, and lost cash in the move, and a lot more of it in other areas.


                  • Never Fall in Love
                    March 2, 2008
                    Edit | Reply
                    ahh .. I know how that goes
                    I just realized you were rooibos - I am so dense

                    • Viva La Vie Boheme
                      March 2, 2008
                      Edit | Reply
                      nah you're not, the names have nothing in common, except both being things I've vaguely connected to (meaning obsession in the second degree )


  • Randomly Beautiful
    March 2, 2008
    Edit | Reply
    I have seen the movie; which was good...but books are always, always, always better.


  • Carpe Noctem
    March 2, 2008
    Edit | Reply
    One of my all-time favorite books ever. I've loved it since it first came out. The movie wasn't nearly as good, but not nearly as bad as a book-turned-movie. I will try to enter!


    • Viva La Vie Boheme
      March 3, 2008
      Edit | Reply
      Thanks! And yeah, I think the verdict is unanimous: just watch the damn movie and stop being so pessimistic

      • Carpe Noctem
        March 3, 2008
        Edit | Reply
        lol Yeah. I mean, I understand. So many movies just RUIN the books, but they do an alright job with it, I guess.


  • girl shaman
    March 2, 2008
    Edit | Reply
    yeah the movie really took away alot from the book. it wasnt that bad but it really wasnt that good and they took out some real good parts :/
    im going to try and enter this b/c i myself have read this book many times


  • alandriel1138
    March 3, 2008
    Edit | Reply
    i really liked the movie- you should watch it. i havent read the book so i dont know if hollywood ruined it or not


  • xxRainbowDawnxx
    March 3, 2008
    Edit | Reply
    out of curiousity, what's the book about?

    • Viva La Vie Boheme
      March 3, 2008
      Edit | Reply
      To put a long story short -
      Main characther is Astrid. Her mother, Ingrid, is a poet, with her own beliefs and ways of life. Ingrid poisons her lover, and Astrid has to go to foster care. She lives in a few homes, and a lot of difficult situations. Her mother still tries to manipulate her through letters from prison. And I don't do the book justice, but it's simply amazing.


  • barefoot contessa silver member
    March 4, 2008
    Edit | Reply
    I love that book. I had forgot about it.

    Best of luck with your contest!
    - Aly

  • Tumbleweed
    March 11, 2008
    Edit | Reply

    Books

    "White Oleander" is a wonderful book. You're right, don't see the movie If you're enjoying that book, I suggest you also read "She's Come Undone", by Wally Lamb.


  • Dead Star--x
    March 12, 2008
    Edit | Reply
    awesome book♥
    i really like the movie
    it cuts things out of corse but youll understand it having read the book first


  • Exodus gold member
    March 16, 2008
    Edit | Reply
    I've never read the book and I only saw the movie when a friend sat me down and made me watch it but after reading those quotes I'm going to have to find a copy


  • umlaut
    March 17, 2008
    Edit | Reply
    i absolutely love that book. the mother is so sick but can be so poetic..good idea for a contest.


  • Marcy Anna
    March 24, 2008
    Edit | Reply
    Very interesting quotes...perhaps I will look into reading the book as well. Gracias


  • rerouni66
    April 5, 2008
    Edit | Reply
    I am not sure if this is good or not. I watch the movie a few times. I tried picturing the mother telling Astrid the quotes and I took it from there. I will try to find the book and read it some time.


  • luckynsincere
    April 11, 2008
    Edit | Reply
    ahhh.. I see you said you were reading the book and weren't intending on watching the movie... You need not. The book is amazing, yet the movie was lacking the power and emotion portrayed in the book you are reading... cool idea for a contest. Hope you get lots of wonderfully inspired poems!!!

    Melanie


  • And Hyetal
    April 16, 2008
    Edit | Reply
    tankies for the goldie and the much needed points!

    congrats to the other winners, too!

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