Book Quote by Margaret Atwood
“If you feel that there's the author and then the character, then the book is not working. People have a habit of identifying the author with the narrator, and you can't, obviously, be all of the narrators in all of your books, or else you'd be a very strange person indeed.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Margaret Atwood on Narrative Identity, 2015
Confusing author and narrator blurs a book’s structure, making it ineffective.
In simple terms: Mixing author and narrator confuses readers.
Key Takeaway
Keep author and narrator distinct.
Themes
literature
identity
structure
Mood
analytical
critical
Type
literary
educational
When to use this quote
- book clubs
- creative writing
- critical analysis
Key Concepts
narrative voice
authorial intent
Questions to Reflect On
- How does voice blending affect your reading?
- When is it effective?
A Different Perspective
Some works intentionally blend voices for artistic effect.
