"You're so calm and quiet, you never say. But there are things inside you. I see them sometimes, hiding in your eyes."
About Tracy Chevalier
Tracy Chevalier — Life and Legacy
Tracy Chevalier is a notable British-American author recognized for her historical fiction that intricately weaves themes of art and identity. Her most famous work, 'Girl with a Pearl Earring,' not only tells the story behind Vermeer’s iconic painting but also delves into the complexities of the human experience, particularly through the lens of the protagonist, Griet. Chevalier's writing often reflects her belief that art is a powerful medium for understanding oneself and the world. She asserts, 'We are all of us a little bit like the characters we create,' highlighting the intimate connection between an artist's life and their work. This perspective emphasizes how personal experiences shape artistic expression, revealing the emotional depth behind creativity. Her exploration of identity is particularly poignant, as she challenges conventional narratives by presenting multifaceted characters who navigate societal expectations and personal desires. Chevalier's insights into the interplay between art and identity resonate with readers, making her work relevant in discussions about self-discovery and the role of creativity in shaping our lives.
Quote collection
Tracy Chevalier quotes (page 1 of 2)
28 quotes — follow a thought to its full quote page.
"It's those little daily incidents of life that are dramatic, and if you put a frame around it , suddenly they become much bigger and much more important than you ever imagined."
"I find that when I come out of the library I'm in what I call the library bliss of being totally taken away from the distractions of life."
"It's a rare book that wins the battle against drooping eyelids."
"Don't write about what you know - write about what you're interested in. Don't write about yourself - you aren't as interesting as you think."
"He saw things in a way that others did not, so that a city I had lived in all my life seemed a different place, so that a woman became beautiful with the light on her face."
"As I get older, I use less jewelry - necklace or earrings each morning, not both; my clothes are getting more basic - fewer colours and simpler cuts; and my make-up is stripped back to basics."
"The sign of a masterpiece: A painting when there's a lack of resolution."
"Normally book ideas come to me in a moment."
"Younger women tend to be busier, wearing more layers and more make-up. I don't know if it's because older women are more confident, or just that we don't care any more. But that pared-down approach is the same with the sentences I write; I take out adjectives and adverbs and keep the description to a minimum."
"So many (too many) books are published every year, and it seems everyone is writing a book. Perhaps we should all be reading more and writing less!"
"I had walked along that street all my life, but had never been so aware that my back was to my home"
"I have consistently loved books that I've read when I've been sick in bed."
"You know I don’t listen to market gossip,” she began, “but it is hard not to hear it when my daughter’s name is mentioned."
"I try to write 1,000 words a day - about three pages. When I reach 1,000 words I feel good. Less than that: a failure. More than that: tired."
"My father was often impatient during March, waiting for winter to end, the cold to ease, the sun to reappear. March was an unpredictable month, when it was never clear what might happen. Warm days raised hopes until ice and grey skies shut over the town again."
"I didn't move. I've learned from years of experience that dogs and falcons and ladies come back to you if you stay where you are."
"Although I always said that I wanted to be a writer from childhood, I hadn't actually done much about it until I came to London."
"It was not a house where secrets could be kept easily."
"I read a lot of fantasy. I adored 'Anne of Green Gables'. But my favourite books as a child were probably Laura Ingalls Wilder's 'Little House' series, about a pioneer family in the mid-19th-century American west. I often thought of them as I was writing 'The Last Runaway'."