This book is in every way except actual authorship Alice Toklas's book; it reflects her mind, her language, her private view of Gertrude, also her unique narrative powers. Every story in it is told as Alice herself had always told it....Every story that ever came into the house eventually got told in Alice's way, and this was its definitive version.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Stein attributes the book's voice and narrative style to Alice Toklas, suggesting it reflects her perspective more than Stein's own.
- In plain terms
- The book feels like Alice wrote it because it uses her voice and tells stories her way.
- What can you take from it?
- Authorship can be shared through voice and perspective.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Who owns a story told by someone else?
- How much of a book is the author?
Another view
It may undervalue Stein's actual editorial role in shaping the text.
More from Gertrude Stein
Most of us balk at her soporific rigmaroles, her echolaliac incantations, her half-witted-sounding catalogues on numbers; most of us read her less and less. Ye…
Permalink to quote #119 As I read it, my ears opened up for the first time in my life and I began to hear Negroes... Above all, I began to hear for the first time the pure, deep diale…
Permalink to quote #121 Writers only think they are interested in politics, they are not really, it gives them a chance to talk and writers like to talk but really no real writer is r…
Permalink to quote #118
Related quotes
The number one book of the ages was written by a committee, and it was called The Bible.
Louis B. MayerLouis B. Mayer quote #3 An author in his book must be like God in the universe, present everywhere and visible nowhere.
Gustave FlaubertGustave Flaubert quote #4 From thousands of our undone widows One may derive some wit.
Thomas MiddletonThomas Middleton quote #4