'Becoming visible, bit by bit'
“Somethinghappens between a novel and its reader which is similar to the process ofdeveloping photographs, the way they did it before the digital age. The photograph, as it was printed in thedarkroom, became visible bit by bit. Asyou read your way through a novel, the same chemical process takes place.”– Patrick Modiano
French novelist and 2014 Nobel Prizein Literature winner Modiano was born on this date in 1945. His analogy of the development of the novel“before our eyes” is a remarkable one that also gives us a bit of a look intohis writing style. He lets the pictureslowly unfold, sometimes leaving us startled, sometimes satisfied, sometimesangry, but always interested in what’s coming next.
His novels delve into the puzzle ofidentity in ways seldom seen. And, hetackles a time in France – the German occupation during World War II – thatevokes both heroism and shame depending on whose point of view his tale isbeing told.
In addition to the Nobel, Mondiano has been honored with every major Europeanand French writing award including one for his life’s body of work. He said he writes a few hours every day.
“The more things remain obscure andmysterious,” Modiano said, “the more they interest me. I even try to find mystery in things thathave none.”
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