Jane Smiley on Storytelling, Family History, and the Art of Fiction
By
Interviewed by Nicole Rudick
Summary
An interview with Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jane Smiley, conducted as part of The Paris Review's "Art of Fiction" series. The piece explores Smiley's background growing up in Missouri in a family of storytellers, her literary influences, and her reflections on the limited representation of women authors in school curricula during her youth. The interview reveals how her family history of storytelling shaped her own narrative voice and approach to fiction writing.
Source
Key quotes
· 3 pulledThere weren't too many books by women that were taught in school, so I read those on my own, and the books I read were as accessible as the ones we were reading in school.
Did I tell you about . . .
In 1976, with Canute.
You might also wanna read
The Art of Biography: Understanding Robert Louis Stevenson's Travel Philosophy
This article explores the nature of biography through the lens of Robert Louis Stevenson's life and travels, examining what biography can re

A Night at Barcade: Reflections on Making Friends in Journalism School
A personal narrative about attending a journalism school party at a bar/arcade in Williamsburg, where the author reflects on social anxiety,
Analysis of Anne Rice's "Interview with the Vampire": A Cult Classic Beyond Horror
This article discusses Anne Rice's novel "Interview with the Vampire," exploring how she began writing it in the late 1960s using her knowle

Writers and Researchers to Discuss AI's Role in Fiction and Nonfiction Writing
This article announces an upcoming discussion event featuring leading writers and researchers who will explore the impact of large language
Growing Up as David Foster Wallace's Sister: A Personal Reflection on Legacy and Memory
A deeply personal essay about Amy Wallace's experience growing up as the sister of the late author David Foster Wallace. It explores the bur
Author publishes personal book exploring mother's entanglement with Nazi ideologies
The author announces the publication of a new book about their mother, exploring her past and her complex relationship with Nazi ideologies.

Comments
Sign in to join the conversation.
No comments yet. Be the first.