Readers rule the (literary) world

“The writer does not and should not have the last word. That belongs to the reader.”

—Tobias Wolff

Love this quote from author Tobias Wolff.

Although I always enjoy reading about authors’ writing process, I do tend to be skeptical when they are too insistent on overall themes and interpretations.

Although those may be the author’s intention, the final word does – as Wolff suggests – belong to the reader.

Each reader interprets a book differently, and brings his or her experience to the reading.

I’ve even read the same novel at different periods of my life and have interpreted it differently or with new-found knowledge or perspective.

This is one of the beauties of reading – we, the readers, rule. Happy reading to all!