“Every book has an intrinsic impossibility, which its writer discovers as soon as his first excitement dwindles.”

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Meaning

The quote suggests that writing a book often reveals limits or contradictions once the initial enthusiasm fades. At that point, the writer sees that the work may be harder to complete than it first seemed.

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Original Language & Translation

Originally said in English.

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About Annie Dillard

American author

Annie Dillard is an American author known for narrative prose in fiction and nonfiction. She published poetry, essays, prose, literary criticism, two novels, and one memoir. Her 1974 book Pilgrim at Tinker Creek won the 1975 Pulitzer Prize for General Nonfiction. From 1980, she taught for 21 years in the English department of Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut.

More from Annie Dillard (176 quotes) →

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Books by Annie Dillard

Pilgrim at Tinker Creek

1990

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The writing life

1998

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The Maytrees CD

2007

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Teaching a Stone to Talk

1982

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For the Time Being

1999

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