"I have often heard that the novel is dead. But I see novels produced, I don't know how many a week, in France. I have the impression it's carrying along quite well"
- Nathalie Sarraute
About this Quote
In this quote, Nathalie Sarraute is responding to a typically held belief that the novel is no longer relevant or popular. Nevertheless, based upon her observation of the variety of books being produced in France on a weekly basis, she thinks the novel is in fact thriving. Sarraute suggests that the understanding of the novel being dead may be because of changes in the method literature is consumed, such as the increase of digital media. In spite of these modifications, Sarraute preserves her belief in the enduring worth and importance of the novel as a kind of artistic expression.
"One has children in the expectation of dying before them. In fact, you want to make damn sure you die before them, just as you plant a tree or build a house knowing, hoping that it will outlive you. That's how the human species has done as well as it has"
"Well, I think any time you delve into this sort of religion, politics, as you well know, you're going to, you know, touch a few nerves. I wasn't - now - and this is the honest truth"
