Books Quote by Diane Setterfield
““I read old novels. The reason is simple: I prefer proper endings. Marriages and deaths, noble sacrifices and miraculous restorations, tragic separations and unhoped-for reunions, great falls and dreams fulfilled; these, in my view, constitute an ending worth the wait. They should come after adventures, perils, dangers and dilemmas, and wind everything up nice and neatly. Endings like this are to be found more commonly in old novels than new ones, so I read old novels.””
About This Quote
Source Interview: The Guardian, 2011
The author values classic narratives that provide clear, satisfying conclusions after conflict and adventure.
In simple terms: Old stories give neat, rewarding endings.
Key Takeaway
Seek stories with complete arcs.
Themes
literature
nostalgia
storytelling
Mood
reflective
thoughtful
Type
literary
personal
When to use this quote
- Reading classic novels
- writing fiction
- teaching literature
Key Concepts
Narrative closure
classical structure
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you prefer clear endings?
- How do endings shape your view of a story?
A Different Perspective
Modern works often favor ambiguous endings, which may feel unsatisfying.
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![“[Marlon] Brando was the only guy who could step out of that shadow at the end of that movie and be worth the wait.” quote by Roger Ebert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/237/roger-ebert-655_brando_marlon-brando-was-the-only-guy-who-could_194103.jpg)
