--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Later, I went one step further, by…" description: "\"Later, I went one step further, by putting in some invented \"historical\" bits [into the Lincoln in the Bardo]. And reading those alongside the actual h..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/654/george-saunders-317_bits_later-i-went-one-step-further-by-putting_3138349.jpg" --- # Later, I went one step further, by putting in some… ![“Later, I went one step further, by putting in some invented "historical" bits [into the Lincoln in the Bardo]. And reading those alongside the actual historical bits was like looking into a sort of a painful mirror, because "my" parts were so show-offy at first. They stood out because they were so…” quote by George Saunders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/654/george-saunders-317_bits_later-i-went-one-step-further-by-putting_3138349.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/654/george-saunders-317_bits_later-i-went-one-step-further-by-putting_3138349.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/654/george-saunders-317_bits_later-i-went-one-step-further-by-putting_3138349.jpg) > “Later, I went one step further, by putting in some invented "historical" bits \[into the Lincoln in the Bardo\]. And reading those alongside the actual historical bits was like looking into a sort of a painful mirror, because "my" parts were so show-offy at first. They stood out because they were so flamboyant.” [George Saunders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-saunders/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Mixing invented and factual history creates a reflective contrast that highlights personal vanity. **In simple terms:** Fiction and fact together reveal ego. Key Takeaway Balance truth with imagination. Themes creativity self‑reflection history Mood reflective analytical Type literary philosophical When to use this quote - writing workshops - historical research - personal journaling - art criticism Key Concepts narrative technique authenticity ego mirror metaphor Questions to Reflect On - How does fictionalizing history affect perception? - When does creativity become self‑indulgent? A Different Perspective Over‑embellishment can obscure truth. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Actual Historical](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actual-historical-5348194/) [Bardo Reading](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bardo-reading-5580901/) [Bits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bits/) [Firsts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/firsts/) [Flamboyant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/flamboyant/) [Historical](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/historical/) [Historical Bits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/historical-bits-5580900/) [Invented Historical](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/invented-historical-1120116/) [Mirrors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mirrors/) [Painful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/painful/) [Reading](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reading/) [Shows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shows/) [Steps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/steps/) ## Related quotes > [Historical fiction is not history. 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