"People think that because a novel's invented, it isn't true. Exactly the reverse is the case. Biography and memoirs can never be wholly true, since they cannot include every conceivable circumstance of what happened. The novel can do that"
- Anthony Powell
About this Quote
In this quote, author Anthony Powell challenges the common belief that books are not real because they are imaginary. He argues that, in reality, books have the capability to catch the fact more accurately than bios or memoirs. This is because biographies and memoirs are limited by the author's viewpoint and can not consist of every detail and situation of what happened. On the other hand, novels have the freedom to explore all possible situations and perspectives, allowing for a more extensive and genuine portrayal of occasions. Therefore, Powell suggests that novels have the power to reveal a much deeper fact about human experiences and feelings, making them just as legitimate and important as non-fictional works.
"The opportunity to create a small world between two pieces of cardboard, where time exists yet stands still, where people talk and I tell them what to say, is exciting and rewarding"
