"I like nudging readers into a slightly different perspective, but in a sly way - I want to be the writer who slips a stiletto in and out, to make so swift and clean a cut, it's not until a chapter ends that the reader looks down and sees she's bleeding and asks what happened."
About Kathryn Harrison
Kathryn Harrison — Life and Legacy
Kathryn Harrison is an acclaimed American author whose works delve deeply into the themes of love and identity, often reflecting the intricate dynamics of personal relationships. Her notable works, such as 'The Kiss' and 'The Mother', explore the emotional landscapes of her characters, revealing the tensions and contradictions inherent in human connections. Harrison's writing is characterized by its psychological depth, where she examines how love can simultaneously empower and entrap individuals. One of her significant ideas is encapsulated in the quote, 'to love is to be vulnerable', which underscores the inherent risks of emotional intimacy. This perspective invites readers to confront the complexities of their own relationships, as Harrison's characters often grapple with their identities in the context of love and familial ties. Harrison's exploration of identity challenges societal norms and expectations, prompting readers to reflect on their own experiences. Her work remains relevant today, as it resonates with those navigating the complexities of modern relationships, making her insights into love and identity both poignant and impactful.
Quote collection
Kathryn Harrison quotes
13 quotes — follow a thought to its full quote page.
"Scars are stories, history written on the body"
"For me, writing is inseparable from thinking. I could say the entire undertaking is a vast cerebral construct against my demons. It's the thing that I love. It's my identity."
"We're taught to expect unconditional love from our parents, but I think it is more the gift our children give us. It's they who love us helplessly, no matter what or who we are."
"My days are as long as despair can make them."
"The dizzy rapture of starving. The power of needing nothing. By force of will I make myself the impossible sprite who lives on air, on water, on purity."
"As a young woman, I was so eager to please that I served others' happiness and even their values before my own. It didn't earn me love, but it did deliver me to a place where I had to choose between what I thought of myself and what other people did. I chose myself."
"There aren't many people in our history who have so completely surrendered themselves to a mission that they would give up their lives for it."
"Sometimes there's a sort of tear in the veil, and there are people who live in more than one dimension."
"Writing is how I stay sane. It's completely necessary."
"I can't work out much about myself or what I see in the world around me unless I do it through writing."
"Don’t portray yourself as who you want to be. Portray yourself as who you are."
"I've always been interested in the intersection between our rational and our unconscious lives."