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What leads me to accredit the truth of what great Savonati…

“What leads me to accredit the truth of what great Savonati has conveyed to us is the way in which he conscientiously tells us everything. In novels written nowadays, writers pay little heed to their heroes' stomachs. They send them off on errands, embroil them in adventures which leave them as…” quote by Balzac
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““What leads me to accredit the truth of what great Savonati has conveyed to us is the way in which he conscientiously tells us everything. In novels written nowadays, writers pay little heed to their heroes' stomachs. They send them off on errands, embroil them in adventures which leave them as breathless as the reader, and yet they are never hungry. In this respect, they bear little resemblance to the author. In my opinion, this, more than anything else, serves to discredit this type of work. Does anybody eat in René ? ... Whatever period you depict, you will find that people had dinner.””

Balzac

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Authors should portray basic human needs like hunger to keep characters authentic.

In simple terms: Show basic needs for realism.

Key Takeaway

Include realistic details in storytelling.

Themes

authenticity humanity literature

Mood

thoughtful analytical

Type

literary critical

When to use this quote

  • historical novels
  • character-driven narratives
  • food scenes

Key Concepts

character depth realism historical context

Questions to Reflect On

  • How does hunger affect character motivation?
  • Do you value realism over plot?
A Different Perspective

Overemphasis on detail can slow pacing.

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