If a woman writes about family and about the connections between people and what it means to be alive in this day and time, it's called women's fiction. And if a man does it, it's nominated for a National Book Award. What - you can't have a heart and a penis? That doesn't make sense.

Summary

This quote highlights the gender bias and double standards within the literary world. It suggests that when a woman explores themes related to family, relationships, and the human experience in her writing, it is often categorized as "women's fiction" - a genre that is sometimes dismissed or marginalized. In contrast, if a man touches on the same topics, his work is often considered more significant and earns prestigious recognition such as a National Book Award nomination. The quote challenges the notion that gender should dictate the themes and value attributed to literary works.

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