Believe Quote by Michael Ondaatje
“Read him slowly, dear girl, you must read Kipling slowly. Watch carefully where the commas fall so you can discover the natural pauses. He is a writer who used pen and ink. He looked up from the page a lot, I believe, stared through his window and listened to birds, as most writers who are alone do. Some do not know the names of birds, though he did. Your eye is too quick and North American. Think about the speed of his pen. What an appalling, barnacled old first paragraph it is otherwise.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Literary Discussion, 2021
Reading Kipling requires attention to rhythm and natural pauses, reflecting his solitary, observational style.
In simple terms: Read Kipling slowly, noticing pauses and rhythm.
Key Takeaway
Practice mindful, paced reading.
Themes
literature
reading technique
authorial voice
observation
Mood
reflective
inspired
Type
educational
literary
When to use this quote
- creative writing workshops
- literary analysis
- personal reading practice
- teaching literature
- birdwatching activities
Key Concepts
rhythm
punctuation
solitude
nature imagery
Questions to Reflect On
- How does pacing affect comprehension?
- What can we learn from his observation of nature?
A Different Perspective
Modern readers may find his style archaic.
