Ben Jelloun describes writing as an essential, life-sustaining activity. He equates it with basic human needs, emphasizing its vital importance to his existence and well-being, suggesting it's not a choice but a necessity, an integral part of his life.
Quote by Tahar Ben Jelloun: “Writing for me is like a breath, like eating, like drinking.”
Writing for me is like a breath, like eating, like drinking.
Insight
Historical Context
Ben Jelloun is a prolific author who sees writing as a fundamental expression of his identity and a means to engage with the world's issues. This quote comes from Le bonheur conjugal (2009), a novel about marital complexities and inner life.
About the Author
Moroccan novelist and poet writing in French who won the Prix Goncourt in 1987 for The Sacred Night. His work addresses themes of immigration, identity, racism, and the experience of North Africans in Europe, and he is one of the most internationally celebrated Arab writers of his generation.
View all quotes by Tahar Ben Jelloun