A peach and a red faceted heart-shaped gem on a small maroon saucer.

Original artwork, not a still

The Worm and the Ring  ·  1960

Anthony Burgess

‘But you like her, don’t you?’ asked Howarth. ‘You like Mrs Connor?’ For himself, thought Howarth, he did not particularly like Mrs Connor. He desired Mrs Connor, however.

Behind the line

What it means

Our interpretation.

Howarth asks whether someone else likes Mrs Connor, then privately considers his own feelings. He does not particularly like her, but he desires her. The contrast separates affection from attraction, with 'however' delivering the distinction in a dry, pointed final turn.

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