Books Quote by J. M. Coetzee
““The presentation scene itself we skip. It is not a good idea to interrupt the narrative too often, since storytelling works by lulling the reader or listener into a dreamlike state in which the time and space of the real world fade away, superseded by the time and space of the fiction. Breaking into the dream draws attention to the constructedness of the story, and plays havoc with the realist illusion. However, unless certain scenes are skipped over we will be here all afternoon. The skips are not part of the text, they are part of the performance.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: “The Art of Narrative” by J. M. Coetzee, 2005
Skipping certain scenes in a story keeps the audience immersed by preserving the illusion of a seamless fictional world.
In simple terms: Skipping scenes preserves immersion.
Key Takeaway
Use selective omission to maintain flow.
Themes
storytelling
immersion
structure
performance
editing
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
Type
critical
reflective
When to use this quote
- novel reading
- film editing
- theatrical performance
- lecture presentations
Key Concepts
Narrative illusion
dreamlike state
audience engagement
Questions to Reflect On
- Which moments are essential for coherence?
- How does omission affect emotional impact?
A Different Perspective
Excessive skipping can disrupt essential plot points.
