Writers build up a readership over their career, and readers look forward to the new book. Besides, he says, “Having my last book published in my lifetime is more fun. But Barnes’s retirement highlights how rare it is for a writer to choose to fall silent. [ Writer’s block: how to be creative even in crisisOpens in new window ]We might wish for other writers to share Roth’s self-awareness. Whether JD Salinger’s literary silence will ever be broken is a moot point.

Source: The Irish Times January 07, 2026 18:09 UTC