Susan Sontag

1933–2004 · Essayist and novelist

Susan Sontag wrote essays and fiction that joined close attention to art with arguments about public life. Against Interpretation questioned habits of criticism, On Photography examined images, and Illness as Metaphor challenged moral meanings imposed on disease.

Traced to source

3 quotes we’ve traced to Susan Sontag

“Illness is the night-side of life, a more onerous citizenship”

Verified

“In place of a hermeneutics we need an erotics of art”

Verified

“Writing well is the best revenge”

Disputed

Not actually Susan Sontag

Often misattributed to Susan Sontag

Famous lines widely pinned on Susan Sontag that we’ve traced to someone else.

“Styles change, style doesn't”

actually Linda Ellerbee

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