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Quote by Jonathan Lethem

“I've always felt that the writing I responded to most - the novels and stories that compelled me, that felt like they described the world I live in, with all of its subjectivity, irrationality, and paradox, were those which made free use of myths and symbols, fantastic occurences, florid metaphors, linguistic experiments, etcetera - to depict the experiences of relatively 'realistic' characters - on the level of their emotions and psychology, rather than in terms of what kinds of lives they led or what kind of events they experience.”

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've discovered that like every writer, I'm helpless MYSELF - and that means I find myself unconsciously or semi-consciously repeating motifs and themes and even using certain words or images recurrently in my work, no matter how much I think I'm starting fresh. But I've always admired artists who made a specific sport of trying to visit different kinds of genres or mediums or modes - not just 'western' or 'detective', but comedy/tragedy, epic and miniature, traditional/experimental.”

Thinking Trying Kind Mean Different Artist Sports Comedy Tragedy Different Kinds Helpless Epic Fresh Start

Author:Jonathan Lethem

“I hate feeling too complacent when I write. I like to be solving new problems.”

Writing Feelings Problem Hate I Hate Complacent

Author:Jonathan Lethem

“The level at which my OCD enters my writing process isn't that I slap the keyboard - it's more along the lines of a compulsive need to swap syllables around, rework words and sentences - I revise for the pleasure and satisfaction of it, rather than out of a sense of duty.”

Writing Pleasure Duty Writing Process Slap Ocd

Author:Jonathan Lethem

“My writing life is pretty simple - I try to work every day, almost always in the mornings - and I can only write fiction effectively for about three or at the most four hours. No big mysteries, I just sit down and try to advance the cause a little bit every day.”

Writing Trying Hours Simple Morning Mystery Writing Life

Author:Jonathan Lethem