On the Occasion of My Last Afternoon
Critique • Quotes
First editionAbout the book
Author
Kaye Gibbons, United States
First publication
1998
Form
Novel
Genre
Literary
Writing language
English
Length
Approx. 73,000 words
Notable lines
I did not mean to kill the nigger! Did not mean to kill him!
— First lines
Like the servants, we, his children, were beneath him, and so we were left oftentimes standing with his lies in our hands like baffling presents, not knowing what we were to do with this collection of things, his words, whether they should be used or displayed or hidden like a broken toy in a corner of the nursery armoire.
On the occasion of my last afternoon, I feel no sorrow, feel no regret, for I have done what Quincy told me to do: Face it all dry-eyed. Say it. Say it. This has been such a glorious afternoon—my heart would not weep if I did not live to see another.
— Last lines
Critique • Quotes
