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H: Holly Golightly #AToZChallenge

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Holiday Golightly more famously known as Holly Golightly, born Lulamae Barnes, is the main protagonist from the novella 'Breakfast At Tiffany's' written by Truman Capote. This character was then immortalized by Audrey Hepburn in a movie with the same name. The book is about an unnamed narrator who relates his memories of Holly Golightly, the people in her life, and his relationship with her. Holly is his downstairs neighbor and the center of attention of his memoirs. She is 18 years old when he first meets her. She is a creature unlike anyone he has ever known, simultaneously sophisticated, blunt, and unapologetic about her lifestyle. This is what drew me to her. Holly is one of the most fascinating characters I've ever read.

Holly is practically jobless and lives by borrowing money from the people she meets on dates. She does come across as a vain, reckless, party animal who only cares about money and uses men to get it. But when you look into her a little deeply, you'll see that she isn't as cut and dried as she initially appears. Holly was orphaned at a young age and her childhood was pretty rough since she was forced to move in with some pretty terrible relatives after her parents' deaths. She then marries a doctor when she's only 13, just because he is good to her. Her actions, thoughts, expectations and lifestyle choices are all due to her past.

In spite of her past, her present or whatever her future maybe, Holly is inspirational in so many ways. Her never say die attitude, her belief in love, is something you would not see in everyone. She's gorgeous, she's vivacious, she's sparkly and yet she's as closest to being human as one can get.

I'm leaving a few quotes here that she quoted in the book. I'm sure it will resonate with each one of you.

~ “Anyone who ever gave you confidence, you owe them a lot".

~ “A girl doesn't read this sort of thing without her lipstick."

~ “A person ought to be able to marry men or women. No, I'm serious. Love should be allowed. I'm all for it. Now that I've got a pretty good idea what it is."

~ “I don’t want to own anything until I find a place where me and things go together.”

~ "You mustn’t give your heart to a wild thing. The more you do, the stronger they get, until they’re strong enough to run into the woods or fly into a tree. And then to a higher tree and then to the sky."

~ “I’ll never get used to anything. Anybody that does, they might as well be dead.”

~ “People don’t belong to people.”

~ “I’m like cat here, a no-name slob. We belong to nobody, and nobody belongs to us. We don’t even belong to each other.”

Holly is not an easy person to like. She's terribly isolated, but claims to love her husband. One might think that she's devoid of feelings, but she does develop a genuine affection for the narrator. She doesn't come across as the quintessential heroine waiting to be saved or that woman with a warrior spirit who doesn't need a man to save her. She's a delicious concoction of both and that's what makes her so endearing. She teaches you that no matter what, life isn't as bad as it is made to be. But, in the end, we have to look out for ourselves. She prepares you for that.

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I'm participating in the April A to Z Challenge for 2019 and my theme is Wonder Women.

Comments

  1. That sentence 'Holly is not an easy person to like' is so true. I remember being fascinated when I finally read the book decades after watching the movie. A few changes for sure but it was a truly unique character...

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    1. She's so different that it is hard not to notice her.

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  2. I have again, watched this and not read it. The quotes are great.

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  3. I love the quotes! I knew about the movie, but I don't think I have seen it for many years. Now I want to read the story...

    The Multicolored Diary

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    1. Do read the book. It has many such quotes.

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  4. I haven't seen the movie, but your words made me fall in love with this character--Holly Golightly.
    7 out of the 8 quotes you shared are words I keep reminding myself, day in day out.
    Beautiful and inspirational piece of writing, Soumya!
    <3

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  5. Those are wonderful quotes! I haven't watched the movie or read the book, but going by your post it sounds interesting and I might read or watch it soon!

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    1. Do read it Reema, she's a fascinating character.

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  6. I so need to read this book - it's one of those I've been saying that about for years lol
    Debbie

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