Books Quote by Arnold Bennett
““Readers of a certain class are apt to call good the plot of that story in which "you can't tell what is going to happen next." But in some of the most tedious novels ever written you can't tell what is going to happen next--and you don't care a fig what is going to happen next.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Old Wives' Tale by Arnold Bennett, 1908
Predictability can be boring, even when a story is intentionally vague, leading to reader disengagement.
In simple terms: Predictable plots can be tedious.
Key Takeaway
Seek engaging, purposeful narratives.
Themes
literature
predictability
engagement
Mood
reflective
critical
Type
analytical
critical
reflective
When to use this quote
- reading a novel
- writing fiction
- book club discussion
Key Concepts
narrative structure
reader expectation
Questions to Reflect On
- What makes a story's uncertainty compelling?
- How can authors balance mystery with meaning?
A Different Perspective
Even intentional ambiguity may fail if it lacks stakes or relevance.
