--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: \"It always seemed somehow less real…" description: "\"\"It always seemed somehow less real here... a really detailed dream, but sort of washed out, like a thin watercolor. Softer, somehow, even with their e..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7f6/garth-nix-2783_dream_it-always-seemed-somehow-less-real-here_3145785.png" --- # "It always seemed somehow less real here... a really… ![“"It always seemed somehow less real here... a really detailed dream, but sort of washed out, like a thin watercolor. Softer, somehow, even with their electric light and engines and everything. I guess it was because there was hardly any magic.” quote by Garth Nix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7f6/garth-nix-2783_dream_it-always-seemed-somehow-less-real-here_3145785.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7f6/garth-nix-2783_dream_it-always-seemed-somehow-less-real-here_3145785.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7f6/garth-nix-2783_dream_it-always-seemed-somehow-less-real-here_3145785.png) > “"It always seemed somehow less real here... a really detailed dream, but sort of washed out, like a thin watercolor. Softer, somehow, even with their electric light and engines and everything. I guess it was because there was hardly any magic.” [Garth Nix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garth-nix/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Modern settings can feel detached, lacking wonder, when magic is absent. **In simple terms:** Lack of magic makes life feel flat. Key Takeaway Seek wonder in everyday moments. Themes fantasy modernity disenchantment Mood melancholic contemplative Type literary philosophical When to use this quote - daily routine - creative writing - mindfulness Key Concepts Magical realism existentialism Questions to Reflect On - How can you find magic in the mundane? - What small wonders can you create? A Different Perspective May overlook real challenges in pursuit of magic. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Detailed Dream](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/detailed-dream-5625782/) [Dream](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dream/) [Dreams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dreams/) [Electric](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/electric/) [Electric light](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/electric-light/) [Hardly Magic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hardly-magic-654569/) [Light](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/light/) [Like Watercolor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/like-watercolor-2880469/) [Magic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/magic/) [Real](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/real/) [Softer Electric](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/softer-electric-5625784/) [Watercolor Softer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/watercolor-softer-5625783/) ## Related quotes > [“Now there is hardly anything but magic abroad before seven o'clock in the morning. 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As if she were about to dissolve in sound, in tones not yet created.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-h-eg/she-was-transparent-like-a-watercolor-as-if-she-were-about-to/) [Peter Høeg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-h-eg/) > [We talked death with burned-up intensity, both of us drawn to it like moths to an electric light bulb. Sucking on it!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-sexton/we-talked-death-with-burned-up-intensity-both-of-us-drawn-to-it-like/) [Anne Sexton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-sexton/) > [ “\[On writing more Sherlock Holmes stories.\] ‘I don’t care whether you do or not,’ said Bram. ‘But you will, eventually. He’s yours, till death… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/graham-moore/on-writing-more-sherlock-holmes-stories-i-don-t-care-whether-you-do/) [Graham Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/graham-moore/) > [We live technologically, with man as the master of nature, man as the engineer, and let anyone who raises his voice against it stop…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-frisch/we-live-technologically-with-man-as-the-master-of-nature-man-as-the/) [Max Frisch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-frisch/) > [This country has achieved its commercial and financial supremacy under a regime of private ownership. It conquered the wilderness, built our railroads, our factories,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-b-cortelyou/this-country-has-achieved-its-commercial-and-financial-supremacy/) [George B. Cortelyou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-b-cortelyou/) > [“From the pavement, I could see the window of Albertine’s room, that window, formerly quite black, at night, when she was not staying in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcel-proust/from-the-pavement-i-could-see-the-window-of-albertine-s-room-that/) [Marcel Proust](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcel-proust/) > [“And what is the state but a servant and a convenience for a large number of people, just like the electric light and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ayn-rand/and-what-is-the-state-but-a-servant-and-a-convenience-for-a-large/) [Ayn Rand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ayn-rand/) > [I compare the Twist to the electric light, The Twist is me, and I'm it. I'm the electric light.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chubby-checker/i-compare-the-twist-to-the-electric-light-the-twist-is-me-and-i-m-it/) [Chubby Checker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chubby-checker/) > [We are striking it big in the electric light, better than my vivid imagination first conceived. Where this thing is going to stop Lord…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-a-edison/we-are-striking-it-big-in-the-electric-light-better-than-my-vivid/) [Thomas A. Edison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-edison/) > [“I once saw a small child go to an electric light switch as say, "Mamma, can I open the light?" She was using the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-pound/i-once-saw-a-small-child-go-to-an-electric-light-switch-as-say-mamma/) [Ezra Pound](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-pound/) ## More by Garth Nix > [Death and what came after death was no great mystery to Sabriel. She just wished it was.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garth-nix/death-and-what-came-after-death-was-no-great-mystery-to-sabriel-she/) [Garth Nix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garth-nix/) > [“Choosers will be beggars if the begging's not their choosing," said the Dog "What does that mean?" "I have no idea," said the Dog”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garth-nix/choosers-will-be-beggars-if-the-begging-s-not-their-choosing-said-the/) [Garth Nix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garth-nix/) > [Time plays tricks between here and home," said Mogget sepulchrally, frightening the life out of the telephone operator.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garth-nix/time-plays-tricks-between-here-and-home-said-mogget-sepulchrally/) [Garth Nix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garth-nix/) > [ “Mmmmmm, said Ardent \[the Royal Dog\]. He liked cooked food. Also raw food and semicooked food, and things that might be food and so… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garth-nix/mmmmmm-said-ardent-the-royal-dog-he-liked-cooked-food-also-raw-food/) [Garth Nix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garth-nix/) > [I enjoyed the army reserve, and I learned a lot from it, but I also... it helped me work out that I didn't want…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garth-nix/i-enjoyed-the-army-reserve-and-i-learned-a-lot-from-it-but-i-also-it/) [Garth Nix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garth-nix/) > [“If I'm not back by nightfall, come and take a very careful look, said Anya. But I don't expect to need rescuing. I'm not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garth-nix/if-i-m-not-back-by-nightfall-come-and-take-a-very-careful-look-said/) [Garth Nix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garth-nix/) > [“Come, said Tanitha. Come to the Great Hall, and we will lie down with the puppies, and I will tell you a story. One…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garth-nix/come-said-tanitha-come-to-the-great-hall-and-we-will-lie-down-with/) [Garth Nix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garth-nix/) > [So I'll do that, and I'll do my best and if my best isn't good enough, at least I will have done everything I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garth-nix/so-i-ll-do-that-and-i-ll-do-my-best-and-if-my-best-isn-t-good-enough/) [Garth Nix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garth-nix/) > [He was obviously a very arrogant ragamuffin, and younger than she was, to boot. And he was wearing a necromancer's bells! Apart from that,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garth-nix/he-was-obviously-a-very-arrogant-ragamuffin-and-younger-than-she-was/) [Garth Nix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garth-nix/) > [“she still felt she was a librarian and always would be, no matter what else she had become as well. “We”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garth-nix/she-still-felt-she-was-a-librarian-and-always-would-be-no-matter-what/) [Garth Nix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garth-nix/) > [“I don't want to be that kind of sorcerer, said Anya swiftly. Besides, you wouldn't...you wouldn't love me then, would you? We will always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garth-nix/i-don-t-want-to-be-that-kind-of-sorcerer-said-anya-swiftly-besides/) [Garth Nix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garth-nix/) > [Fear and realisation of ignorance, strong medicines against stupid pride.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garth-nix/fear-and-realisation-of-ignorance-strong-medicines-against-stupid/) [Garth Nix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garth-nix/) > [“I didn't know why he became a tree. I don't really know anything about why druids become trees- Peace and quiet, said Elisandria matter-of-factly.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garth-nix/i-didn-t-know-why-he-became-a-tree-i-don-t-really-know-anything-about/) [Garth Nix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garth-nix/) > [“Our parts now -- which perforce we must play -- are not father and daughter, but one old Abhorsen, making way for the new.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garth-nix/our-parts-now-which-perforce-we-must-play-are-not-father-and-daughter/) [Garth Nix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garth-nix/) > [We've had enough of your pretending to be God. We'll take our chances getting out of the city. Things have to be better in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garth-nix/we-ve-had-enough-of-your-pretending-to-be-god-we-ll-take-our-chances/) [Garth Nix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garth-nix/) [Explore all 147 Garth Nix quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garth-nix/) ## More Dream quotes > [“Once we become sensitive to dreams, we discover that every dynamic in a dream is manifesting itself in some way in our practical lives”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-a-johnson/once-we-become-sensitive-to-dreams-we-discover-that-every-dynamic-in/) [Robert A. Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-a-johnson/) > [A thing of beauty is a joy for ever;It's loveliness increase;it will never pass into nothingness;but still will keep a bower quiet for us,and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-keats/a-thing-of-beauty-is-a-joy-for-ever-it-s-loveliness-increase-it-will/) [John Keats](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-keats/) > [I understand that it's the music that keeps me alive... That's my lifeblood. And to give that up for, like, the TV, the cars,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-springsteen/i-understand-that-it-s-the-music-that-keeps-me-alive-that-s-my/) [Bruce Springsteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-springsteen/) > [“Not that it matters, when you dream, there's no outside or in. Your mind is an unimaginable bloom. A willow catkin as big as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rich-shapero/not-that-it-matters-when-you-dream-there-s-no-outside-or-in-your-mind/) [Rich Shapero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rich-shapero/) > [Academically, I was never that interested. I skipped classes. My biggest dream was to have a coffee shop, but I had no idea how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-espinosa/academically-i-was-never-that-interested-i-skipped-classes-my-biggest/) [Daniel Espinosa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-espinosa/) > [“As dreams are the healing songs from the wilderness of our unconscious - So wild animals, wild plants, wild landscapes are the healing dreams…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-pendell/as-dreams-are-the-healing-songs-from-the-wilderness-of-our/) [Dale Pendell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-pendell/) > [Alone in a world, With millions of souls Walking in circles Trapped in their dreams unhealthy, unclean walking in circles, now do not disturb…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chester-bennington/alone-in-a-world-with-millions-of-souls-walking-in-circles-trapped-in/) [Chester Bennington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chester-bennington/) > [“Doing the work to transform your dreams into reality is like walking across the earth. It can be that hard, and it can take…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dragos-bratasanu/doing-the-work-to-transform-your-dreams-into-reality-is-like-walking/) [Dragos Bratasanu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dragos-bratasanu/) > [As far as Im concerned, I didnt dream - ever.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-sturgeon/as-far-as-im-concerned-i-didnt-dream-ever/) [Theodore Sturgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-sturgeon/) > [I have long felt that the way to keep children out of trouble is to keep them interested in things. 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I had an awesome dream.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-had-a-dream-i-had-an-awesome-dream/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“His dream must have seemed so close that he could hardly fail to grasp it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/f-scott-fitzgerald/his-dream-must-have-seemed-so-close-that-he-could-hardly-fail-to/) [F. Scott Fitzgerald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/f-scott-fitzgerald/) [Browse all 26,527 Dream quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dream/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "\"It always seemed somehow less real here... a really detailed dream, but sort of washed out, like a thin watercolor. Softer, somehow, even with their electric light and engines and everything. 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