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Hubert Selby, Jr.
37quotes
Hubert Selby, Jr.
Full Name and Common Aliases
Hubert Selby, Jr. is often referred to as simply Hubert Selby, though his full name remains a consistent identifier throughout his career.
Birth and Death Dates
Born on May 23, 1928, in Brooklyn, New York, Hubert Selby, Jr., passed away on April 26, 2004, at the age of 75.
Nationality and Profession(s)
Selby was an American writer, known primarily for his novels that explore themes of crime, addiction, and the human condition. He is often associated with the Beats and their literary legacy, though he defied easy categorization throughout his career.
Early Life and Background
Growing up in Brooklyn's Park Slope neighborhood, Selby developed a fascination with writing at an early age. However, his childhood was marked by poverty and turmoil, including a stint in foster care. These experiences would later influence the gritty realism that characterizes much of his work. After serving in the US Army during World War II, Selby began to focus on his writing more seriously.
Major Accomplishments
Selby's breakthrough novel, Last Exit to Brooklyn, was published in 1964 to both critical acclaim and controversy. The book's unflinching portrayal of crime, violence, and social outcasts pushed boundaries at the time and remains a landmark work in American literature. Selby continued to write prolifically throughout his life, producing novels such as The Demon (1957), Requiem for a Dream (1978), and Last Exit to Brooklyn's sequel, Story of a Stillness, published posthumously.
Notable Works or Actions
Selby's writing is characterized by its unromanticized portrayal of the human condition. His works often explore themes of addiction, crime, and social isolation, drawing from his own experiences with poverty and marginalization. Novels like Requiem for a Dream, which chronicles the downward spiral of four characters into addiction, demonstrate Selby's willingness to confront dark subjects head-on.
Impact and Legacy
Selby's work has had a lasting impact on American literature, influencing generations of writers to explore themes of social marginalization. His writing continues to resonate with readers interested in gritty realism and unflinching portrayals of the human condition. While his style may have been seen as provocative by some, Selby's commitment to authenticity has cemented his place as a pioneering figure in American literature.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Selby's influence extends beyond his literary contributions; he is also remembered for his involvement in the Beats' countercultural movement. His unapologetic portrayal of marginalized communities and experiences helped pave the way for future generations of writers, who have continued to explore themes of social justice and inequality. Through his writing and legacy, Selby continues to inspire readers and writers alike, offering a searing critique of societal norms and expectations.
Quotes by Hubert Selby, Jr.
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I think the function of suffering is to let me know that my perception is skewed; what I’m doing is judging natural events in such a way that I am creating suffering within myself. For instance, you have pain over certain conditions, certain situations that occur. And if you just say ‘ok, here I am, I’m going to experience the pain,’ you don’t suffer. The resistance and the degree of the resistance to the natural phenomenon of life causes tremendous suffering.
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Being an artist doesn’t take much, just everything you got. Which means, of course, that as the process is giving you life, it is also bringing you closer to death. But it’s no big deal. They are one in the same and cannot be avoided or denied. So when I totally embrace this process, this life/death, and abandon myself to it, I transcend all this meaningless gibberish and hang out with the gods. It seems to me that that is worth the price of admission.
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There's a sorrow and pain in everyone's life, but every now and then there's a ray of light that melts the loneliness in your heart and brings comfort like hot soup and a soft bed.
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Obviously, I believe that to pursue the American Dream is not only futile but self-destructive because ultimately it destroys everything and everyone involved with it. By definition it must, because it nurtures everything except those things that are important: integrity, ethics, truth, our very heart and soul. Why? The reason is simple: because Life/life is giving, not getting.
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Sometimes we have the absolute certainty there's something inside us that's so hideous and monstrous that if we ever search it out we won't be able to stand looking at it. But it's when we're willing to come face to face with that demon that we face the angel.
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Sometimes it seems to stand still. Like you’re in a bag and you can’t get out and somebody’s always telling you that it will get better with time and time just seems to stand still and laugh at you and your pain.
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I was sitting at home and had a profound experience. I experienced, in all of my Being, that someday I was going to die, and it wouldn't be like it had been happening, almost dying but somehow staying alive, but I would just die! And two things would happen right before I died: I would regret my entire life; I would want to live it over again. This terrified me. The thought that I would live my entire life, look at it and realize I blew it forced me to do something with my life.
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For weeks Tyrone thought he was going to die any minute, and there were also times when he was afraid he wasnt going to die.
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