Elizabeth Strout, "Tell Me Everything"

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Elizabeth Strout, (소설) "Tell Me Everything" (2024)

 

 

첫 부인과 이혼하고 목사인 두 번째 부인 Magaret과 살고 있는 변호사 Bob Burgess와, 이혼한 전남편 William과 동거하고 있는, 작가 Lucy Barton은 일상처럼 함께 산책하며 대화를 즐기는 친구다. 둘의 만남에 어색한 긴장이 있게 되는 그 무렵 Lucy는 다시 결혼하자는 William의 청을 받아들인다. Margaret이 주례를 한다. Bob과 Lucy의 산책도, 새롭게(다르게) 계속된다. 남녀의 우정에 대해 좋게 생각하고 좋은 경험도 갖고 있는 내겐 이 둘의 이야기만으로도 꽤 재밌었다.

 

아래는 본문(마지막 두 쪽)에서

 

   "And we kind of broke up that day. Because Bob, being Bob, saved us both from getting together in that way, which would have been a terrible mistake. And I understood after a while that -- I told you I thought Bob was a sin-eater -- that he was eating my sin of wanting him, oh that poor man! And then later I agreed to marry William. Which was right. I met William when i was practically child, and we've gone through so much together, I love him, and also -- It's odd, but he makes me feel safe. And Bob is with Margaret, which is right too. So it's not the saddest story ever told. Love is love, Olive."

   "What do you mean?"

   "I'll tell you what i mean. Years ago I read an article and the title was "Love is Love" .... And I've always remembered that. Because I understood it. Love comes in so many different forms. but it is always love. If it is love, then it is love." (pp. 325-6)