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About this quote

What does it mean?
Vidal notes the oddity of being admired by a stranger who has read his work for decades, implying a chill due to the longevity of attention.
In plain terms
A stranger told Vidal they read his work for a life, which felt creepy.
What can you take from it?
Long-term attention can feel unsettling.

Where it applies

  • fan interactions
  • public life

Putting it to work

  • expect odd praise
  • stay grounded

Questions to consider

  • Does fame feel scary?
  • How do you handle praise?

Another view

It minimizes the value of loyal readers.

More from Gore Vidal

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  2. God has been expelled. I think he knows when he's on a losing wicket.

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  3. Lennon was somebody who was a born enemy of those who govern the United States. He was everything they hated. So I just say that he represented life, and that …

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