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Not all great writers may seem great to us, regardless of…

“Not all great writers may seem great to us, regardless of how often and how hard we try to see their virtues. I know, for example, that Trollope is considered to have been a brilliant novelist, but I’ve never quite understood what makes his fans so fervent. Still, our tastes change as we ourselves…” quote by Francine Prose
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““Not all great writers may seem great to us, regardless of how often and how hard we try to see their virtues. I know, for example, that Trollope is considered to have been a brilliant novelist, but I’ve never quite understood what makes his fans so fervent. Still, our tastes change as we ourselves change and grow older, and perhaps in a few months or so Trollope will have become my new favorite writer.””

Francine Prose

About This Quote

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

Our judgment of literature shifts with personal growth; what seems opaque now may become cherished later.

In simple terms: Taste changes over time.

Key Takeaway

Embrace evolving literary preferences.

Themes

literature personal growth subjectivity

Mood

reflective curious

Type

analytical observational

When to use this quote

  • college literature courses
  • book clubs
  • personal reading journeys
  • teaching literature

Key Concepts

aesthetic development reader response

Questions to Reflect On

  • How have your favorite books changed with age?
  • What factors make a writer resonate now versus later?
A Different Perspective

Reading preferences are also shaped by cultural trends and peer influence.

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