JOHN FOWLES

The Collector - fragments
 

People like your bloody aunt think I'm a cynic, a wrecker of homes. A rake. I've never seduced a woman in my life. I like bed, I like the female body, I like the way even the shallowest of women become beautiful when their clothes are off and they think they're taking a profound and wicked step. They always do, the first time. Do you know what is almost extinct in your sex?
He looked sideways at me, so I shook my head.
Innocence. The one time you see it is when a woman takes her clothes off and cannot look you in the eyes (as I couldn't then). Just that first Botticelli moment of the first time of her taking her clothes off. Soon shrivels. The old Eve takes over. The strumpet. Exit Anadyomene.
 

Ruxandra Georgescu

John Fowles
 

Oamenii ca afurisita de matusa-ta ma cred un cinic, un distrugator de camine. Un libertin. In viata mea nu am sedus nici o femeie. Imi plac dragostea, si corpul femeiesc, imi place modul in care chiar si cele mai superficiale femei pot deveni frumoase cand sunt dezbracate si cand au impresia ca au facut un pas foarte profund si pervers. Intotdeauna se intampla asa, cand e prima oara. De fapt stii ce mi se pare o caracteristica aproape disparuta a sexului vostru ?
M-a privit cam piezis, asa ca am dat din cap.
Inocenta. Singura data cand o poti observa e atunci cand o femeie isi scoate hainele insa nu te poate privi in ochi (cum nici eu nu putusem atunci). Pur si simplu acel prim moment, demn de Botticelli cand isi scoate hainele pentru prima oara. Un moment ce dispare curand. Stricata. Si iata ca iese din scena Anadyomene.