“Intelligent people, caught at anything, denied it. Faced with evidence of having denied it falsely, people said they had not done it and had not lied about it, and didn't remember it, but if they had done it, or lied about it, they would have done it and misspoken themselves about it in an interest so much higher as to alter the nature of doing and lying altogether.”
In this novel, the protagonist embarks on a transformative journey aboard a speedboat, reflecting on her personal history and the complexities of her cultural heritage. The narrative delves into the protagonist's struggle with identity and belonging, as she navigates the waters of her own life and the broader currents of her society. more
Renata Adler (born October 19, 1938) is an American author, journalist, and critic. Known for her sharp prose and incisive cultural commentary, she was a staff writer for The New Yorker and wrote novels like Speedboat and Pitch Dark. Her work explores themes of power, media, and language, earning her recognition as a significant voice in American literature. more
“Most movies are not very good. Most people know it and like to see them anyway.”
“Sanity ... is the most profound moral option of our time.”
“You can trust a crystal ball about as far as you can throw it.”