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Julian Barnes Quotes

Writer

Julian Barnes, born on January 19, 1946, is a distinguished British writer. His works span across various genres including novels, essays, and criticism, known for their unique literary style and profound insights into human nature.

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All Ifs Julian Barnes Way Life Book The Only Story Art Love May Thinking Writing Memories People Firsts Knows World Grief Stories Wells Age

Famous Julian Barnes Quotes

“Well, they each seem to do one thing well enough, but fail to realize that literature depends on doing several things well at the same time.”

Writing Wells Enough Seems Literature Realizing Failing One Thing Depends

Book:Flaubert's Parrot

Source: Flaubert's Parrot

“[Literature is] a process of producing grand, beautiful, well-ordered lies that tell more truth than any assemblage of facts.”

Wells Facts Beautiful Lying Literature Process Assemblage

Book:Conversations with Julian Barnes

Source: Conversations with Julian Barnes

“People in love, it is well known, suffer extreme conceptual delusions, the most common of these being that other people find your condition as thrilling and eye-watering as you do yourselves.”

People Wells Eye Suffering Common Known Conditions Extremes Delusion Well Known Thrilling

Author:Julian Barnes

“And that was all the part of it - the way you were obliged to live. You stifled a groan, you lied about your love, you deceived your legal wife, and all in the name of honour. That was the damned paradox of it - in order to behave well, you have to behave badly.”

Way Wells Order Names Wife Love You Behave Paradox Honour Deceived Obliged Lied You Lied

Book:Arthur & George

Source: Arthur & George

“The better you know someone, the less well you often see them (and the less well they can therefore be transferred into fiction). They may be so close as to be out of focus, and there is no operating novelist to dispel the blur.”

Knows Wells May Fiction Focus Novelists Blur

Book:Nothing To Be Frightened Of

Source: Nothing To Be Frightened Of

“What is history? Any thoughts, Webster?' 'History is the lies of the victors,' I replied, a little too quickly. 'Yes, I was rather afraid you'd say that. Well, as long as you remember that it is also the self-delusions of the defeated. ... 'Finn?' '"History is that certainty produced at the point where the imperfections of memory meet the inadequacies of documentation." (quoting Patrick Lagrange)”

Wells Littles Long Self Remember Lying Memories Certainty Delusion Imperfection Defeated Inadequacy Quoting Documentation Self Delusion

Author:Julian Barnes

“When we fall in love, we hope - both egotistically and altruistically - that we shall be finally, truly seen: judged and approved. Of course, love does not always bring approval: being seen may just as well lead to a thumbs-down and a season in hell.”

Wells May Doe Fall Courses Hell Seasons Down And Falling In Love Judged Approval Thumbs Approved Thumbs Down

Author:Julian Barnes

“Why does the writing make us chase the writer? Why can't we leave well enough alone? Why aren't the books enough?”

Writing Wells Doe Book Enough

Author:Julian Barnes

“Those were the days in this country where H. G. Wells, Bernard Shaw and Conan Doyle could have influence, and thats gone, thats true. But I dont think we have less influence in the hearts and minds of readers. I think, if anything, we have just as much, if not more.”

Ifs Thinking Mind Wells Heart Country Gone Influence Reader Heart And Mind Conan Bernard Shaw

Author:Julian Barnes

“If you remember your past too well you start blaming your present for it. Look what they did to me, that's what caused me to be like this, it's not my fault. Permit me to correct you: it probably is your fault. And kindly spare me the details.”

Ifs Wells Looks Past Remember Blame Faults Details Permit Spares Our Past Your Past

Book:Talking It Over

Source: Talking It Over

“Well, to be honest I think I tell less truth when I write journalism than when I write fiction.”

Thinking Writing Wells Fiction Honest Journalism Being Honest

Book:Conversations with Julian Barnes

Source: Conversations with Julian Barnes

About the Author

Born: January 19, 1946
Known for: Writer
Quotes: 316

Books & Sources

The Sense of an EndingRelated source material

Flaubert's ParrotRelated source material

The Only StoryRelated source material

Levels of LifeRelated source material

The Noise of TimeRelated source material

Conversations with Julian BarnesRelated source material

A History of the World in 10½ ChaptersRelated source material

A History Of The World In 10 1/2 ChaptersRelated source material

Talking It OverRelated source material

England, EnglandRelated source material

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