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Quote by Jonathan Lethem

“It's impossible to overstate how my relationship to music forms a preserve for the esoteric or even spiritual aspect of my relationship to cultural stuff, to human expressivity... it's a safe enclosure.”

Author

Jonathan Lethem

Jonathan Lethem is an American novelist known for his distinctive literary style and profound thematic explorations. His works often blend elements of science fiction, fantasy, and realism, delving into themes such as identity, memory, and urban culture. more

“I never have been a musician; I'm not actually capable. Because I can't even pretend to acquire the gift, all of my first feelings about art are still attached to music. I look at it yearningly, I look at it wonderingly. I behold it from afar, as something unattainable, something outside of myself, from which I can take nourishment, but I can't domesticate and master.”

Firsts Looks Has Beens Art Stills I Can Feelings Masters Musician Capable Acquire Because I Can Nourishment Afar Unattainable

Author:Jonathan Lethem

“I listen to music all the time. I write while listening to music. And I tell myself that the music nourishes the art forms that I do master and domesticate, and have authority over.”

Writing Art Form Masters Listening Authority Listening To Music

Author:Jonathan Lethem

“As much as I revere great writing, and am still humbled by it, literary activities are no longer esoteric to me. When I read a great novel - something that I could never have written myself - I'm still looking at it a little bit like a technician.”

Writing Littles Stills Bits Novel Written Activity Little Bit Esoteric Great Writing Technicians Great Novels

Author:Jonathan Lethem

“When I write lyrics, I really do go into an automatic folk appropriation mode... I see the vernacular register of 20th century song as being a bunch of forms to adapt and reconfigure.”

Writing Form Song Century Folks Bunch 20th Century Register Appropriation Vernacular

Author:Jonathan Lethem