--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The shelf life of the modern hardback…" description: "\"The shelf life of the modern hardback writer is somewhere between the milk and the yoghurt.\" — John Mortimer" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b58/john-mortimer-7362_life_the-shelf-life-of-the-modern-hardback-wr_679883.jpg" --- # The shelf life of the modern hardback writer is somewhere… ![“The shelf life of the modern hardback writer is somewhere between the milk and the yoghurt.” quote by John Mortimer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b58/john-mortimer-7362_life_the-shelf-life-of-the-modern-hardback-wr_679883.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b58/john-mortimer-7362_life_the-shelf-life-of-the-modern-hardback-wr_679883.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b58/john-mortimer-7362_life_the-shelf-life-of-the-modern-hardback-wr_679883.jpg) > “The shelf life of the modern hardback writer is somewhere between the milk and the yoghurt.” [John Mortimer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mortimer/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The relevance of contemporary serious writers is fleeting, comparable to perishable dairy products. **In simple terms:** Modern serious writers have short relevance. Key Takeaway Value timeless literature. Themes literature ephemerality culture writing Mood contemplative critical Type literary philosophical When to use this quote - historical comparison - creative evaluation Key Concepts publishing trends cultural shifts Questions to Reflect On - What makes a work endure beyond its era? - How can writers create lasting impact? A Different Perspective Literary value can outlast trends. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Shelf life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shelf-life/) [Writer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writer/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [The shelf life of the modern hardback writer is somewhere between the milk and the yogurt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mortimer/the-shelf-life-of-the-modern-hardback-writer-is-somewhere-between-the-2/) [John Mortimer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mortimer/) > [The average trade book has a shelf life of between milk and yogurt, except for books by any member of the Irving Wallace family…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/calvin-trillin/the-average-trade-book-has-a-shelf-life-of-between-milk-and-yogurt/) [Calvin Trillin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/calvin-trillin/) > [The shelf life of the average trade book is somewhere between milk and yogurt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/calvin-trillin/the-shelf-life-of-the-average-trade-book-is-somewhere-between-milk/) [Calvin Trillin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/calvin-trillin/) > [What's love? 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