Book Quote by Clifton Fadiman
![“Seriously, I do not know what to say of this book [ Absalom, Absalom!] except that it seem to point to the final blowup of what was once a remarkable, if minor, talent… this is a penny dreadful tricked up in fancy language and given a specious depth by the expert manipulation of a series of…” quote by Clifton Fadiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/cc1/clifton-fadiman-11053_book_seriously-i-do-not-know-what-to-say-of-t_494033.jpg)
“Seriously, I do not know what to say of this book [ Absalom, Absalom!] except that it seem to point to the final blowup of what was once a remarkable, if minor, talent… this is a penny dreadful tricked up in fancy language and given a specious depth by the expert manipulation of a series of eccentric technical tricks. The characters have no magnitude and no meaning because they have no more reality than a mince-pie nightmare.”
About This Quote
Source Review: Literary Critique of Absalom, Absalom! by William Faulkner, 1936
The reviewer sees the novel as pretentious, with flashy language masking shallow characters and contrived techniques.
In simple terms: The book feels showy but empty.
Key Takeaway
Seek works with genuine depth over style.
Themes
literary criticism
pretension
authenticity
Mood
critical
skeptical
Type
analytical
introspective
When to use this quote
- book clubs
- academic courses
- creative writing workshops
Key Concepts
aesthetic theory
narrative structure
Questions to Reflect On
- Does style ever justify lack of substance?
- How do you differentiate genuine depth from artifice?
A Different Perspective
Some may find hidden layers despite the criticism.
![“[N]othing about a book is so unmistakable and so irreplaceable as the stamp of the cultured mind. I don't care what the story is about or what may be the momentary craze for books that appear to have been hammered out by the village blacksmith in a state of intoxication; the minute you get the…” quote by Dorothy L. Sayers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/14d/dorothy-l-sayers-738_behinds_n-othing-about-a-book-is-so-unmistakable_1468808.jpg)
![“[Books] will visit you at your convenience, whether you are lonesome or not, on rainy days or fair. They propose themselves as either transient acquaintances or permanent friends. They will stay as long as you like, departing or returning as you wish. Their friendship entails no obligation. Best…” quote by Clifton Fadiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/08b/clifton-fadiman-11053_acquaintance_books-will-visit-you-at-your-convenience_75546.jpg)
