Mary Gaitskill

Strindberg In Hell


KillingMyLobster, “Strindberg & Helium In The Park”(2006)

Anyone see the movie about mountain climbers called “Touching The Void“?  One of them falls down an abyss and the other, being pulled down by what he thinks is the dead man’s body, cuts him loose. The fallen climber though has survived with a broken leg. He must make his way out of the pit and across the frozen tundra with a broken leg. While narrating the story of how he did this, he remarks that, as an atheist, he wondered if he would start believing in God. He reports that he did not. He reports further that during his ordeal, he was pestered by a song by Boney M playing endlessly in his head. This confirmed what I’ve long believed, that the Divine has a great sense of humor. 


Boney M , “Hooray! Hooray!” (1979)

– Mary Gaitskill

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Mary Gaitskill is the author of the novels: "Veronica," "Two Girls, Fat and Thin," "The Mare," and "This is Pleasure." She has also written books of stories: "Bad Behavior," "Because They Wanted To," and "Don't Cry," and books of essays: "Somebody with a Little Hammer" and "The Devil's Treasure." More Mary Gaitskill here.