--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Yes, novels; for I will not adopt that…" description: "\"“Yes, novels; for I will not adopt that ungenerous and impolitic custom, so common with novel-writers, of degrading, by their contemptuous censure, the..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b9e/jane-austen-39_books_yes-novels-for-i-will-not-adopt-that-ung_593460.jpg" --- # Yes, novels; for I will not adopt that ungenerous and… ![“Yes, novels; for I will not adopt that ungenerous and impolitic custom, so common with novel-writers, of degrading, by their contemptuous censure, the very performances to the number of which they are themselves adding; joining with their greatest enemies in bestowing the harshest epithets on such…” quote by Jane Austen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b9e/jane-austen-39_books_yes-novels-for-i-will-not-adopt-that-ung_593460.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b9e/jane-austen-39_books_yes-novels-for-i-will-not-adopt-that-ung_593460.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b9e/jane-austen-39_books_yes-novels-for-i-will-not-adopt-that-ung_593460.jpg) > ““Yes, novels; for I will not adopt that ungenerous and impolitic custom, so common with novel-writers, of degrading, by their contemptuous censure, the very performances to the number of which they are themselves adding; joining with their greatest enemies in bestowing the harshest epithets on such works, and scarcely ever permitting them to be read by their own heroine, who, if she accidentally take up a novel, is sure to turn over its insipid pages with disgust. Alas! if the heroine of one novel be not patronised by the heroine of another, from whom can she expect protection and regard? I cannot approve of it. Let us leave it to the reviewers to abuse such effusions of fancy at their leisure, and over every new novel to talk in threadbare strains of the trash with which the press now groans. Let us not desert one another- we are an injured body.”” [Jane Austen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-austen/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Austen criticizes the tendency to harshly judge novels and the lack of mutual support among writers, urging solidarity instead of petty criticism. **In simple terms:** She warns against harsh criticism and calls for writers to support each other. Key Takeaway Encourage constructive dialogue among authors. Themes literary criticism solidarity authorial community Mood reflective concerned Type analytical advisory When to use this quote - book clubs - literary journals - author workshops - publishing houses - reading groups Key Concepts censorship peer review creative collaboration Questions to Reflect On - How can writers foster supportive critique? - What role does mutual respect play in literary circles? A Different Perspective Criticism can stifle creativity if not balanced with support. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Books](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books/) [Novel Patronised](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/novel-patronised-4853014/) [Novel Talk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/novel-talk-2329010/) [Patronised Heroine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/patronised-heroine-4853015/) [Reviewers Abuse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reviewers-abuse-3581653/) [Writers Degrading](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writers-degrading-4172068/) ## Related quotes > [I will not adopt that ungenerous and impolitic custom so common with novel writers, of degrading by their contemptuous censure the very performances, to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-austen/i-will-not-adopt-that-ungenerous-and-impolitic-custom-so-common-with/) [Jane Austen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-austen/) > [“Let us leave it to the reviewers to abuse such effusions of fancy at their leisure and over every new novel to talk in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-austen/let-us-leave-it-to-the-reviewers-to-abuse-such-effusions-of-fancy-at/) [Jane Austen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-austen/) > [“It may not be the "Great American Novel" they talk about, because its scope is not broad enough to take in all of America,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clyde-brion-davis/it-may-not-be-the-great-american-novel-they-talk-about-because-its/) [Clyde Brion Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clyde-brion-davis/) > [“You know, they never talk about this part of owning a sword in books.” “Yeah, and girls don’t menstruate in books either.” Donovan gaped…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-a-reeves/you-know-they-never-talk-about-this-part-of-owning-a-sword-in-books/) [Elizabeth A. 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