This is a great reference question. I've been trying to chase it down in
my odd moments over the last couple of days because I find this kind of
research interesting and instructive. So far I've come up dry.
It doesn't appear in Bartlett's. I've run it through multiple databases
in Gale, ProQuest, and Ebsco -- nothing.
On the bountiful Internet, the quotation itself is common, "Why don't
you write books people can read?", but it has proved impossible to
source, a fine example of viral repackaging. It's generally credited as
"Nora Joyce, to her husband James", which seems a wry attempt to use
irony to gloss over the absence of a source, as if to say, "Perhaps you
know her husband ... wait for it ... James Joyce?" Occasionally James'
dates are added (though never Nora's), in a vain attempt to lend some
credibility.
Google Books has it appearing in several recently published books
(http://books.google.com/books?q=%22Why+don%27t+you+write+books+people+c
an+read%3F%22&btnG=Search+Books), including Colin Jarman's "Book of
Poisonous Quotes," but none of these references includes a proper
citation either.
She may well have said it. But I've been unable to find any source for
the quotation, credible or not. Sounds like urban legend, but Snopes
doesn't have anything on it.
If anyone manages to find something, please post it to the list.
Sorry I'm not more helpful.
Cheers,
---Bob.
/************************************************/
/* Bob Hassett, Head Librarian */
/* Luther Jackson Middle School */
/* 3020 Gallows Road */
/* Falls Church, Virginia 22042 */
/* (703) 204-8133 */
/* Bob.Hassett@fcps.edu */
/************************************************/
See you in the Library!
-----Original Message-----
From: School Library Media & Network Communications
[mailto:LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU] On Behalf Of Joanne Taylor
Sent: Thursday, September 27, 2007 9:07 AM
To: LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU
Subject: Gen: Quote ? Once again
Good morning,
I am still looking for the quote by James Joyce's wife. She says
something like..."James why don't your write something that people would
want to read?" I need the actual quote to share with our Seniors. They
need something to make them laugh while tackling Joyce's short stories.
I think I saw it as a signature quote from and LM_NETTER years ago.
Thanks for the help,
Joanne Taylor/ Librarian
Elgin High Library, Elgin, Texas 512-281-9874
jtaylor@elginisd.net
jotaylor@echorim.com
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This email, including any attachments, contains
information which may be confidential or privileged. The information is
intended to be for the use of the individual or entity named above. If
you are not the intended recipient, be aware that any disclosure,
copying, distribution or use of the contents of this information is
prohibited. If you have received this email in error, please notify the
sender immediately by "reply to sender only" message and destroy all
electronic and hard copies of the communication, including attachments.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Please note: All LM_NET postings are protected by copyright law.
You can prevent most e-mail filters from deleting LM_NET postings
by adding LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU to your e-mail address book.
To change your LM_NET status, e-mail to: listserv@listserv.syr.edu In
the message write EITHER: 1) SIGNOFF LM_NET 2) SET LM_NET NOMAIL
3) SET LM_NET MAIL 4) SET LM_NET DIGEST * Allow for confirmation.
* LM_NET Help & Information: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/
* LM_NET Archive: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/archive/
* EL-Announce with LM_NET Select: http://lm-net.info/
* LM_NET Supporters: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/ven.html
* LM_NET Wiki: http://lmnet.wikispaces.com/
--------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Please note: All LM_NET postings are protected by copyright law.
You can prevent most e-mail filters from deleting LM_NET postings
by adding LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU to your e-mail address book.
To change your LM_NET status, e-mail to: listserv@listserv.syr.edu
In the message write EITHER: 1) SIGNOFF LM_NET 2) SET LM_NET NOMAIL
3) SET LM_NET MAIL 4) SET LM_NET DIGEST * Allow for confirmation.
* LM_NET Help & Information: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/
* LM_NET Archive: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/archive/
* EL-Announce with LM_NET Select: http://lm-net.info/
* LM_NET Supporters: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/ven.html
* LM_NET Wiki: http://lmnet.wikispaces.com/
--------------------------------------------------------------------
LM_NET
Mailing List Home