Arnon Grunberg

Gorgeous

Salinger

As usually in Dublin I had dinner at The Pearl Brasserie The entrance of the restaurant was blocked by four ladies from Eastern Europe. They were smoking heavily. While passing them one of the ladies said: “You look gorgeous tonight.” I stopped and answered, “thank you, very kind of you.” Her reply was short and clear. “I was not speaking to you.” Salinger said that life is going from one holy spot to the other, or something similar.
I would say that life is going from one embarrassment to the other with shameful moments in between.
As to the comment on A modest Proposal: I’m not that sure if the unborn should feel safe.