Good Novel Quotes

44 quotes by 38 authors

The person, be it gentleman or lady, who has not pleasure in a good novel, must be intolerably stupid. — Jane Austen
A good novel tells us the truth about its hero; but a bad novel tells us the truth about its author. — Gilbert K. Chesterton
My sole literary ambition is to write one good novel, then retire to my hut in the desert, assume the lotus position, compose my mind… — Edward Abbey
On the whole, dialogue is the most difficult thing, without any doubt. It's very difficult, unfortunately. You have to detach yourself from the notion of… — John Fowles
The deepest quality of a work of art will always be the quality of the mind of the producer...No good novel will ever proceed from… — Henry James
Life has its pains and evils-its bitter disappointments; but like a good novel and in healthful length of days, there is infinite joy in seeing… — W. E. B. Du Bois
My test of a good novel is dreading to begin the last chapter. — Tom Helm
A good novel is worth more then the best scientific study. — Saul Bellow
Listen closely. Thereâ€™s a remote possibility that you might learn something: First, I donâ€™t give a damn if my work is commercial or notâ€¦Iâ€™m the… — John Fante
I've sold too many books to get good reviews anymore. There's a lot of jealousy, because [reviewers] think they can write a good novel or… — John Grisham
I think a good novel would be where a bunch of men on a ship are looking for a whale. They look and look, but… — Jack Handey
I don't think it's possible to write a good novel around a negative personality. — Alberto Moravia
A good novel should be deeply unsettling - its satisfactions should come from its authenticity and its formal coherence. We must feel something crucial is… — Dana Spiotta
I think a good novel can be a doorstop to despair. I also think the real bravery comes with those who prepared to go through… — Colum McCann
A good novel cannot be too long nor a bad novel too short. — Ellen Glasgow
For your information, a good novel can change the world. Keep that in mind before you attempt to sit down at a typewriter. Never waste… — John Fante
I don't think the 'what' distinguishes a good novel from a bad one but rather the 'how.' — Joseph Heller
A good novel editor is invisible. — Terri Windling
I can't think of any one film that improved on a good novel, but I can think of many good films that came from very… — Gabriel Garcia Marquez
The average detective story is probably no worse than the average novel, but you never see the average novel. It doesn't get published. The average… — Raymond Chandler

Who Wrote These Good Novel Quotes

38 authors contributed a total of 44 Good Novel Quotes, led by these top contributors: