I am a better novelist than a poet, playwright, or essayist.
Interpretation
Saramago expresses his belief in his strengths as a novelist over other literary forms.
In this quote, Jose Saramago reflects on his specific talents as a writer, highlighting that he feels more adept at crafting novels compared to poetry, plays, or essays. This suggests his deep affinity for narrative storytelling and the unique challenges it presents, indicating a clear self-awareness of his artistic identity.
In practice
During a workshop on writing, one might reference Saramago to encourage aspiring novelists to focus on their strengths.
Why did we become blind, I don't know, perhaps one day we'll find out, Do you want me to tell you what I think, Yes, do, I don't think we did go blind, I think we are blind, Blind but seeing, Blind people who can see, but do not see.
I can't imagine myself outside any kind of social or political involvement. Yes, I'm a writer, but I live in this world, and my writing doesn't exist on a separate level. And if people know who I am and read my books, well, good; that way, if I have something more to say, then everyone benefits.
...you have to leave the island in order to see the island, that we can't see ourselves unless we become free of ourselves, Unless we escape from ourselves you mean, No, that's not the same thing.
Whether we like it or not, the one justification for the existence of all religions is death, they need death as much as we need bread to eat.
With the passage of time, as well as the social evolution and genetic exchange, we ended up putting our conscience in the color of our blood and the salt of our tears.
En ningún momento de la historia, en ningún lugar del planeta, las religiones han servido para que los seres humanos se acerquen unos a los otros. Por el contrario, sólo han servido para separar, para quemar, para torturar. No creo en dios, no lo necesito y además soy buena persona.
I knew there was something special about the theater for me something beyond the regular reality, something that I could get into and transcend and become something other than myself.
I've been told, and I think I recognize it, that there's a cinematic quality to my writing, with a sense of image and place and scene - and, some would say, my tendency to finish my books the way Hollywood finishes its films.
The ultimate goal of the architect...is to create a paradise. Every house, every product of architecture... should be a fruit of our endeavour to build an earthly paradise for people.
Style is very personal. It has nothing to do with fashion. Fashion is over quickly. Style is forever.
The labor into which a heart has poured its whole love--where will it have its say, to excite and inspire, and when?
Remember, writing poetry is like making love: one will never know whether one's own pleasure is shared.
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