Joyce Maynard Quotes

A collection of quotes by Joyce Maynard.

Joyce Maynard is a renowned American novelist, memoirist, and journalist. She was born on November 5, 1953, in Durham, New Hampshire. Maynard gained early literary recognition when she submitted a personal essay to The New York Times Magazine at the age of 18, which ultimately landed her a position as a regular contributor. This opportunity led to the publication of her first book, "Looking Back: A Chronicle of Growing Up Old in the Sixties" in 1972.

Maynard's breakout moment came in 1998 with the release of her memoir, "At Home in the World," where she chronicled her relationship with the notable writer J.D. Salinger, who became her mentor when she was just 18 years old. The memoir delved into the complexities of their relationship and received both critical acclaim and controversy.

Throughout her career, Maynard has published numerous novels, including "To Die For" (1992), which was adapted into a successful film starring Nicole Kidman. Notably, she is praised for her engaging storytelling style, rich character development, and exploration of complex interpersonal dynamics.

Maynard's writing often features themes of personal growth, family relationships, and womanhood. Her works are characterized by their emotional depth and sincere examination of the human experience. With her distinct voice and willingness to tackle difficult subjects, Joyce Maynard has cemented herself as a prominent figure in contemporary American literature.

More than any other setting - more than battlefields or boar

More than any other setting - more than battlefields or boardrooms or a spaceship headed for intergalactic travel - I'll put my money on the family to provide an endless source of comedy, tragedy and intrigue.

If a man wishes to truly not be written about, he would do w

If a man wishes to truly not be written about, he would do well not to write letters to 18-year-old girls, inviting them into his life.

Life Man Wishes

Although Salinger had long since cut me out of his life comp

Although Salinger had long since cut me out of his life completely and made it plain that he had nothing but contempt for me, the thought of becoming the object of his wrath was more than I felt ready to take on.

Life

Nothing like being visible, publishing one's work, and speak

Nothing like being visible, publishing one's work, and speaking openly about one's life, to disabuse the world of the illusion of one's perfection and purity.

Life Work

Not only did I avoid speaking of Salinger I resisted thinkin

Not only did I avoid speaking of Salinger I resisted thinking about him. I did not reread his letters to me. The experience had been too painful.

Experience

Many women my age have known the experience of giving up cru

Many women my age have known the experience of giving up crucial parts of themselves to please the man they love.

Age

To share our stories is not only a worthwhile endeavor for t

To share our stories is not only a worthwhile endeavor for the storyteller, but for those who hear our stories and feel less alone because of it.

Alone

At Home in the World is the story of a young woman, raised i

At Home in the World is the story of a young woman, raised in some difficult circumstances, and how she survives. It tells a story of redemption, not victimhood.

Home

If people choose to live their life in a way that does not c

If people choose to live their life in a way that does not confront the more troubling aspects of their experience, that's fine, if it works for them. But it will probably make them uncomfortable if they come up against somebody like me. So they just shouldn't! They shouldn't read my work!

Experience

I believed my story would be helpful to young women my daugh

I believed my story would be helpful to young women my daughter's age, who are still in the process of forming themselves as women, and in need of encouragement to remain true to themselves.

Age

The word no Carries a lot more meaning when spoken by a pare

The word no Carries a lot more meaning when spoken by a parent who also knows how to say yes.

Parenting

The vehemence with which certain critics have chosen not sim

The vehemence with which certain critics have chosen not simply to criticize what I've written, but to challenge my writing this story at all, speaks of what the book is about: fear of disapproval.

Fear