Another world Quote by Azar Nafisi
““A novel is not an allegory, I said as the period was about to come to an end. It is the sensual experience of another world. If you don't enter that world, hold your breath with the characters and become involved in their destiny, you won't be able to empathize, and empathy is at the heart of the novel. This is how you read a novel: you inhale the experience. So start breathing.””
About This Quote
Source Speech: Commencement Address, University of Tehran, 2005
A novel’s power lies in immersing readers emotionally, making them breathe the story to foster empathy.
In simple terms: Reading a novel is like breathing another’s world.
Key Takeaway
Fully engage with characters to feel empathy.
Themes
literature
empathy
immersion
reading
novel
Mood
thoughtful
engaging
Type
literary
motivational
When to use this quote
- book clubs
- creative writing classes
- personal reflection
- teaching literature
Key Concepts
Sensory experience
emotional connection
narrative empathy
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you practice “breathing” a story?
- What does empathy gain you as a reader?
A Different Perspective
Some readers resist deep immersion, limiting empathy.
![“Such an act [testifying for an accused prison guard of the Shah's regime] can only be accomplished by someone who is engrossed in literature, has learned that every individual has different dimensions to his personality… Those who judge must take all aspects of an individual's personality into…” quote by Azar Nafisi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/e57/azar-nafisi-2001_books_such-an-act-testifying-for-an-accused-pr_74846.jpg)
![“[The Utopia of Rules] should offer a challenge to us all. Should we just accept this bureaucracy as inevitable? Or is there a way to get rid of all those hours spent listening to bad call-centre music? Do policemen, academics, teachers and doctors really need to spend half their time filling in…” quote by Gillian Tett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/223/gillian-tett-57286_accepting_the-utopia-of-rules-should-offer-a-chall_39418.jpg)
