osprey_archer (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
osprey_archer) wrote2019-09-28 08:27 am
osprey_archer) wrote2019-09-28 08:27 am
Miscellaneous bits of Ilf & Petrov
At last we have reached the end of my quote collection from Ilf & Petrov! These are just miscellaneous bits and bobs that I thought might come in handy sometime.
Except for this comment, which I record solely so I can wail OH HOW TIMES HAVE CHANGED: “The school was largely and excellently managed, like all schools in the States. We saw large splendid classrooms, hardwood floors, shining porcelain washbasins, nickel-plated faucets.”
They complain a lot about the sameyness of towns in America: no matter where you go, no matter what the condition of the climate and the terrain, all of America’s towns and small cities look the same. They are therefore pleasantly surprised by San Francisco, which “is the most beautiful city in America, apparently because it is in no way reminiscent of America.”
Ba dum kush!
They also look upon Christmas in America with a jaundiced eye. It is “a great and bright holiday of commerce which has no connection whatever with religion. It is a grandiose clearance sale of all the old merchandise, so that, with all our lack of love for God, we cannot indict him for participating in this unsavory business.”
Except for this comment, which I record solely so I can wail OH HOW TIMES HAVE CHANGED: “The school was largely and excellently managed, like all schools in the States. We saw large splendid classrooms, hardwood floors, shining porcelain washbasins, nickel-plated faucets.”
They complain a lot about the sameyness of towns in America: no matter where you go, no matter what the condition of the climate and the terrain, all of America’s towns and small cities look the same. They are therefore pleasantly surprised by San Francisco, which “is the most beautiful city in America, apparently because it is in no way reminiscent of America.”
Ba dum kush!
They also look upon Christmas in America with a jaundiced eye. It is “a great and bright holiday of commerce which has no connection whatever with religion. It is a grandiose clearance sale of all the old merchandise, so that, with all our lack of love for God, we cannot indict him for participating in this unsavory business.”
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I'm struck, also, by their saying that SF is in no way reminiscent of America, because Calvin Trillin [ETA: or, oh gosh, maybe it was Spalding Gray!] once called NYC an island off the coast of America -- this was during some prior Rethuglican presidency or other, I think. But much though I love my home city and much though I am inclined to kiss its filthy pavement every time I come home to it, I do have to concede SF's beauty. :^)
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