The New Statesman | UK politics and culture Why fiction matters - Deborah Levy
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Feb 17, 2025 In this insightful discussion, author Deborah Levy, known for her works Swimming Home and The Man Who Saw Everything, argues that novels are living entities that foster introspection. She elaborates on the transformative power of fiction, emphasizing its role in navigating the human condition and societal complexities. Levy also critiques the oversimplification of narratives and examines the evolving landscape of the publishing industry, highlighting new literary platforms and the emotional ties authors have with their stories.
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Novels and Meaning
- Novels matter because they explore the space between clarity and obscurity, offering freedom of expression.
- They allow us to grapple with understanding and reinterpret meaning, unlike passive information consumption.
A Rule of Description
- In "The Man Who Saw Everything," Levy set a rule: the protagonist, Saul, cannot describe his lover's beauty.
- This constraint forces Saul to portray her through actions, words, and his own feelings, creating depth.
Stein's Literary Disruptions
- Gertrude Stein's unique grammatical rules, like omitting question marks and commas, challenge conventional writing.
- Her work prompts reflection on literature's purpose, the function of English literature, and how seeing, knowing, feeling, and hoping intertwine in writing.