Layers of Self in Literature
I believe a character has many layers, and a writer must inhabit all of these layers at once
Michael Ondaatje
Canadian novelist, author of The English Patient and The Cat's Table
All moments: Michael Ondaatje
- Cats and Writers — Michael Ondaatje
A cat is a creature that never fully reveals itself. As a writer, I'm fascinated by what cannot be completely explained
- Letters as Language — Michael Ondaatje
Letters are the language of secret things, they allow people to be honest in a way they cannot face to face
- History as Fiction — Michael Ondaatje
History is fiction we've agreed to accept as truth. Literature is more honest because it admits its fiction
- The Novel as Dialogue — Michael Ondaatje
A novel is not a monologue. It's a dialogue between writer and reader, where the reader must fill in the gaps
- Fragmented Memory — Michael Ondaatje
Memory is not a linear story. It's fragments that connect and disconnect like in a dream
- War and Intimacy — Michael Ondaatje
War exposes a person, makes them vulnerable. It's in this vulnerability that I search for truth
Related moments
- Birth of a Legend — Paul McCartney
The Beatles were about growth. We changed every single day.
- All Music Is Folk Music — Louis Armstrong
All music is folk music. I ain't never heard a horse sing a song.
- The Power of Compassion — Michael Jackson
The most important thing is love and compassion. They override everything.
- Music Is Life — Jon Batiste
Music is a spiritual practice, a therapy, a way to connect us to ourselves and each other
- Alien Artist — David Bowie
I never tried to fit in. I prefer to be myself, even if it's alien.
- Compromise and Conscience — Bob Dylan
I'll never sell my soul for money or fame. It's my only true asset.