Books Quote by George Saunders
“When you talk about a reader being emotionally moved, a feeling of empathy, I think that comes out of that line-by-line respect for reader. That's actually where it all comes from.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: The New Yorker, 2014
The quote emphasizes that deep emotional impact arises from respecting each line, fostering empathy in readers.
In simple terms: Respecting each line creates empathy.
Honor the text line by line.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- novel writing
- editing
- teaching literature
- book clubs
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How does line‑by‑line respect affect your reading?
- Can you practice this in your own writing?
If the line lacks respect, empathy may not develop.