"Beyond the terrace, a light breeze stirred the reeds at the edge of the pond. Looking out at this intimate vista, one could see the reeds and a stone lantern and the brightest of the evening's stars floating on the gloaming mirror of the pond. Then the breeze came again to crack the water's surface, and the picture was flooded."
About John Burnham Schwartz
John Burnham Schwartz — Life and Legacy
John Burnham Schwartz is a prominent novelist whose works delve into the intricate themes of truth and identity. His notable novel, 'Reservation Road', explores the profound impact of tragic events on personal narratives, illustrating how lives can be irrevocably altered by a single moment. Schwartz's key ideas often revolve around the complexities of human experience, as reflected in his quote, 'truth is a slippery thing', which underscores the subjective nature of reality. Through his writing, Schwartz reveals the psychological depth of his characters, often portraying their struggles with identity and the narratives they construct. His assertion that 'we are all defined by the stories we tell' encapsulates his belief in the power of narrative to shape our understanding of ourselves and our place in the world. This perspective challenges readers to consider how their own stories influence their identities and relationships. The relevance of Schwartz's quotes today lies in their exploration of the human condition, inviting readers to reflect on their own truths and the complexities of their identities. His work resonates with those grappling with personal struggles, making his insights both poignant and impactful in contemporary discussions about self and society.
Quote collection
John Burnham Schwartz quotes
11 quotes — follow a thought to its full quote page.
"Men had suddenly become a scarce commodity, if not quite as sought after as rice."
"Along the wide curving moat surrounding the palace, rows of cherry trees announced the end of their seasonal beauty. Some of the trees were weeping: blossoms in white and palest pink, ponderous with decreptitude, eddying on the brown water, stirred by the paddling of ducks."
"A girl never can predict who might wander into her boudoir during a bubble bath."
"The Jaguar's Children is a beautifully rendered lament for an imperiled culture and the brave lives that would preserve it. You should read it."
"It is one thing to recognise certain potentially useful affinities, and another to act on them."
"Certain experiences you never forget, no matter how old you become."
"Anyone who loved Tuesdays with Morrie should delight in reading The Five People You Meet in Heaven. Mitch Albom has populated his larger-than-life tale with memorable characters and filled it with the abundant warmth and wisdom that we've come to expect from this gifted storyteller."
"I have long admired the visceral storytelling and moral complexity of John Vaillant’s brilliant non-fiction about humankind’s tragically ambivalent relationship with the natural world. Now he brings his abundant literary gifts to a debut novel set in a very real borderland in which human beings are themselves treated like animals. The Jaguar’s Children is a beautifully rendered lament for an imperiled culture and the brave lives that would preserve it. You should read it."
"There's no backward and no forward, no day other than this. You fill your cart as you go, and that's that."
"Let me begin by saying that I am one of those naturally wary people who considers the verb return a kind of insidious threat."