Book Quote by Graham Greene
““With a novel, which takes perhaps years to write, the author is not the same man he was at the end of the book as he was at the beginning. It is not only that his characters have developed--he has developed with them, and this nearly always gives a sense of roughness to the work: a novel can seldom have the sense of perfection which you find in Chekhov's story, The Lady with the Dog. ””
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Art of the Novel, 1955
Authors evolve with their stories, making novels inherently imperfect compared to tightly crafted short stories.
In simple terms: Writing changes the writer; perfection is rare.
Key Takeaway
Accept imperfection as part of creation.
Themes
evolution
imperfection
craft
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- novel writing
- editing
- literary critique
Key Concepts
Narrative development
authorial growth
Questions to Reflect On
- How does a writer’s change affect their work?
- Can imperfection be a strength?
A Different Perspective
Short stories can achieve tighter control than novels.
