Book Quote by Donna Tartt
“The first duty of the novelist is to entertain. It is a moral duty. People who read your books are sick, sad, traveling, in the hospital waiting room while someone is dying. Books are written by the alone for the alone.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: "The Art of Fiction", 2015
Novelists must entertain because readers often turn to books for comfort during hardship.
In simple terms: Stories should comfort and entertain.
Key Takeaway
Write to uplift readers.
Themes
entertainment
morality
comfort
Mood
empathetic
thoughtful
Type
inspirational
philosophical
When to use this quote
- hospital waiting rooms
- sadness
- illness coping
Key Concepts
narrative purpose
reader empathy
Questions to Reflect On
- How can fiction balance entertainment and moral responsibility?
- What stories have helped you in tough times?
A Different Perspective
Entertainment alone may not address deeper societal issues.
