wisdom, this. "it’s very difficult to do happiness in novels in a sustained way, we really leave that to poetry, lyric poetry, which can see our moments. its the nature of the human condition that we’re only truly happy in bursts, we can’t be constantly happy" "literature loves difficulty, thrives on conflict" “we’re right to leave best expressions of love to poets" “its the fleetingness that gives love its precious quality" on aging: “the slow collapse of your body becomes a subject in itself" “i think of myself as a toddler in the business of being old” on novels “we have not yet invented another art form that allows us such access to the minds of others"
Here is a wonderful author with his own experiences. You can disagree with him ; that's why he is not read by all of the world. But he is a brilliant novelist.
He speaks wonderfully and seems like a wonderful man. Somehow I sense that he hasn't experienced real personal emotional fear, only deep unpleasantness or mystification at the cruel violence of other human beings. He is an innocent and seems not to personally have experienced evil. Lucky him. Life is simpler that way.
+Nell philpott This suggests to me that you have not read much or any of his work. You don't necessarily take from your own literal experience for material about human nature, and by this I mean the extreme darks and lights of emotion and motivation, as well as actual events. Perhaps the best tool he has always had as a writer is his shrewd and detailed powers of observation of people, together with his shocking honesty. Personally I think he probably sees "evil" as a feature of human emotional composition, no more, no less. I'd love the chance to ask him . . . They used to call him "Ian Macabre." :) Read his early stuff -- it may surprise you.
Go and find talks from each of Hitchens' three great friends -- McEwan, Rushdie and Amis. All of them carry insights for what lies under great fiction writing that go far beyond the usual preoccupations with technique or method.
wisdom, this.
"it’s very difficult to do happiness in novels in a sustained way, we really leave that to poetry, lyric poetry, which can see our moments. its the nature of the human condition that we’re only truly happy in bursts, we can’t be constantly happy"
"literature loves difficulty, thrives on conflict"
“we’re right to leave best expressions of love to poets"
“its the fleetingness that gives love its precious quality"
on aging:
“the slow collapse of your body becomes a subject in itself"
“i think of myself as a toddler in the business of being old”
on novels
“we have not yet invented another art form that allows us such access to the minds of others"
Excellent. What a sage. Love that he doesn't pontificate or ram his ideas down your throat. A gentle giant for sure.
Here is a wonderful author with his own experiences. You can disagree with him ; that's why he is not read by all of the world. But he is a brilliant novelist.
I came to this as a longtime McEwan fan, but this is really praiseworthy. A wonderful talk by one of our preeminent novelists. Thank you!
wordofgord
The slow collapse of the body well described. The good old days seem always behind us. We leave long loves to the poets. Well said!
He speaks wonderfully and seems like a wonderful man. Somehow I sense that he hasn't experienced real personal emotional fear, only deep unpleasantness or mystification at the cruel violence of other human beings. He is an innocent and seems not to personally have experienced evil. Lucky him. Life is simpler that way.
+Nell philpott This suggests to me that you have not read much or any of his work. You don't necessarily take from your own literal experience for material about human nature, and by this I mean the extreme darks and lights of emotion and motivation, as well as actual events. Perhaps the best tool he has always had as a writer is his shrewd and detailed powers of observation of people, together with his shocking honesty. Personally I think he probably sees "evil" as a feature of human emotional composition, no more, no less. I'd love the chance to ask him . . .
They used to call him "Ian Macabre." :) Read his early stuff -- it may surprise you.
Not my favorite interview with Ian, but only because I always expect a lot from him! He is a terrific author!
Go and find talks from each of Hitchens' three great friends -- McEwan, Rushdie and Amis. All of them carry insights for what lies under great fiction writing that go far beyond the usual preoccupations with technique or method.
Great discussion....
wonderful man wonderful mind
Fantastic !
Russian romance is unparalleled in written word
good talk.
I don't write fiction.