Barking Quote by Gary Krist
“Lionel Essrog, the twitching, barking, gabbling narrator of Jonathan Lethem's new novel, 'Motherless Brooklyn,' is no movie-of-the-week novelty grafted onto a noir mystery. Maybe his Tourette's is a gimmick, but it's a gimmick with depth, with soul.”
About This Quote
Source Review: 2014, Gary Krist, New York Times Book Review
He describes the narrator’s Tourette’s as a deep, soulful gimmick that adds originality to the noir mystery.
In simple terms: Narrator’s Tourette’s adds depth, not just novelty.
Key Takeaway
Appreciate unconventional characters.
Themes
literature
character study
neurodiversity
Mood
analytical
curious
Type
literary
critical
When to use this quote
- novel analysis
- author interview
- critical essay
Key Concepts
authenticity
creative storytelling
Questions to Reflect On
- Does the portrayal feel authentic?
- How does it affect the story’s tone?
A Different Perspective
Risk of stereotyping neurodivergent traits.
![“[Death is] a gimmick. It's the time-birth-death gimmick. Can't go on much longer, too many people are wising up.” quote by William S. Burroughs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/b14/william-s-burroughs-528_birth_death-is-a-gimmick-it-s-the-time-birth-d_610123.jpg)
