"Les livres parlent toujours d'autres livres et chaque histoire raconte une histoire qui a déjà été racontée"
— Umberto Eco
Simplified Meaning:
Books often refer to and build upon other books, and every new story has elements of stories that came before it. Think about how many movies or TV shows you've seen that remind you of others; they share similar characters, plots, or themes. For example, many superhero movies have the same basic idea—a person gets special powers and uses them to fight evil. Even though each movie is different, the main story is a repetition of an old one. When you're reading a book or watching a movie, you're actually experiencing bits and pieces of many past stories combined in new ways. If you’re a writer, understanding this can help you see that it’s okay to draw inspiration from other stories and to add your own unique twist. It’s a reminder that creativity builds on what others have done, and that’s how new and interesting stories come to life.