one forgives parents as naturally as one emancipates oneself from them - usually shortly afterward.
Francine du Plessix GrayIf I were ever to go mad it would be on Thanksgiving Day, that day of guilt and grace when the family hangs upon you like an ax over a sacrificial victim, like the oven's heat on that poor bird.
Francine du Plessix Grayhow the French can talk. About a stew, about a fly on the parapet, about death, about anything.
Francine du Plessix GrayI was just reviewed by Robert Gottlieb, who was my editor at 'The New Yorker,' and he sort of wondered at the fact that I still need to exorcise my parents at my age. I think he makes a basic mistake in thinking that exorcism can ever be total. The exorcism of your parents will still be occurring on your own deathbed.
Francine du Plessix Gray