--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I don't have a problem with many uses of…" description: "\"I don't have a problem with many uses of the word genre, just certain ones. I have the most trouble when these labels are used to prevent discussion, t..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cb0/michael-chabon-627_airports_i-don-t-have-a-problem-with-many-uses-of_1129397.png" --- # I don't have a problem with many uses of the word genre… ![“I don't have a problem with many uses of the word genre, just certain ones. I have the most trouble when these labels are used to prevent discussion, to prevent a work from being taken seriously as literature. When we say "genre," we generally mean "something crappy," something that would be sold…” quote by Michael Chabon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cb0/michael-chabon-627_airports_i-don-t-have-a-problem-with-many-uses-of_1129397.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cb0/michael-chabon-627_airports_i-don-t-have-a-problem-with-many-uses-of_1129397.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cb0/michael-chabon-627_airports_i-don-t-have-a-problem-with-many-uses-of_1129397.png) > “I don't have a problem with many uses of the word genre, just certain ones. I have the most trouble when these labels are used to prevent discussion, to prevent a work from being taken seriously as literature. When we say "genre," we generally mean "something crappy," something that would be sold in an airport.” [Michael Chabon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-chabon/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Genre labels often limit serious discussion of literature, reducing works to low‑brow categories. **In simple terms:** Genres can restrict literary respect. Key Takeaway Avoid limiting labels. Themes literature genre criticism Mood analytical reflective Type critical philosophical When to use this quote - book clubs - academic courses - publishing decisions Key Concepts cultural studies art theory Questions to Reflect On - When do genres help rather than hinder? - How can we discuss works beyond genre? A Different Perspective Some genres foster community and identity. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Books](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books/) [Genre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/genre/) [Labels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/labels/) [Literature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/literature/) [Problem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/problem/) ## Related quotes > [I love the thriller genre generally. 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That's how naive I was, and I didn't realize that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-o-hare/i-guess-i-didn-t-even-know-the-word-genre-until-i-did-true-blood-that/) [Denis O'Hare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-o-hare/) > [I didn't learn the word 'genre' until way, way late - I mean, like, in the '80s.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dianne-reeves/i-didn-t-learn-the-word-genre-until-way-way-late-i-mean-like-in-the/) [Dianne Reeves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dianne-reeves/) > [I didn't know what the word 'genre' meant till I was twenty years old.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trombone-shorty/i-didn-t-know-what-the-word-genre-meant-till-i-was-twenty-years-old/) [Trombone Shorty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trombone-shorty/) > [I like westerns, fantasy, sci-fi, graphic novels, thrillers, and I try to avoid the word 'genre' altogether. A good book is a good book.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gillian-flynn/i-like-westerns-fantasy-sci-fi-graphic-novels-thrillers-and-i-try-to/) [Gillian Flynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gillian-flynn/) > [I often wonder why we don't have an English word for 'genre.' People on arts programmes always have to use the word and invariably…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maureen-lipman/i-often-wonder-why-we-don-t-have-an-english-word-for-genre-people-on/) [Maureen Lipman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maureen-lipman/) > [I came up at a time in the late '60s, early '70s where music was without boundaries. You'd go into a music store, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dianne-reeves/i-came-up-at-a-time-in-the-late-60s-early-70s-where-music-was-without/) [Dianne Reeves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dianne-reeves/) > [I have to put my father over because he really taught me a lot, especially when it comes to out-of-the-ring psychology and how to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randy-orton/i-have-to-put-my-father-over-because-he-really-taught-me-a-lot/) [Randy Orton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/randy-orton/) > [I wrapped a movie called 'Zombieland,' in which I was constantly under assault by zombies, then flew to New York, still very much in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/woody-harrelson/i-wrapped-a-movie-called-zombieland-in-which-i-was-constantly-under/) [Woody Harrelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/woody-harrelson/) > [Sharing a room with a cadaver is only mildly different from being in a room alone. They are the same sort of company as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-roach/sharing-a-room-with-a-cadaver-is-only-mildly-different-from-being-in/) [Mary Roach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-roach/) > [If Real Madrid land on Manchester airport, then the airport will be surely flooded just to see one player whom fans want most. Everyone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-neville/if-real-madrid-land-on-manchester-airport-then-the-airport-will-be/) [Gary Neville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-neville/) > [If I never saw another airport again, I'd be happy!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emm-gryner/if-i-never-saw-another-airport-again-i-d-be-happy/) [Emm Gryner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emm-gryner/) > [In luggage claim at the Minneapolis airport, the guy came up to me and said, "Maybe you're wrong, maybe stories do matter." I wrote…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-dicamillo/in-luggage-claim-at-the-minneapolis-airport-the-guy-came-up-to-me-and/) [Kate DiCamillo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-dicamillo/) ## More by Michael Chabon > [Entertainment is a sacred pursuit when done well. When done well, it raises the quality of human life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-chabon/entertainment-is-a-sacred-pursuit-when-done-well-when-done-well-it/) [Michael Chabon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-chabon/) > [“Anyway, it's a pretty good story," I said. "You have to admit." "Yeah?" He crumpled up the Kleenex, having dispatched the solitary tear. "You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-chabon/anyway-it-s-a-pretty-good-story-i-said-you-have-to-admit-yeah-he/) [Michael Chabon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-chabon/) > [There were so many Pittsburgh poets in my hallway that if, at that instant, a meteorite had come smashing through my roof, there would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-chabon/there-were-so-many-pittsburgh-poets-in-my-hallway-that-if-at-that/) [Michael Chabon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-chabon/) > [“Badass.'" My grandfather sampled the flavor of the word. It did not seem to revolt him, but it was nothing he needed ever to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-chabon/badass-my-grandfather-sampled-the-flavor-of-the-word-it-did-not-seem/) [Michael Chabon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-chabon/) > [See you in the funny papers," he said. Jaunty, he reminded himself; always jaunty. In my panache is their hope for salvation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-chabon/see-you-in-the-funny-papers-he-said-jaunty-he-reminded-himself-always/) [Michael Chabon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-chabon/) > [“I didn't want to be left alone with Timothy, not because I was afraid of him but because I was afraid that somebody would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-chabon/i-didn-t-want-to-be-left-alone-with-timothy-not-because-i-was-afraid/) [Michael Chabon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-chabon/) > [“He had already seized this particular day once, but he was prepared, if need be, to go ahead and seize the motherfucker all over…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-chabon/he-had-already-seized-this-particular-day-once-but-he-was-prepared-if/) [Michael Chabon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-chabon/) > [“We figure he must have let him out. The perpetrator, I mean. He's blind and we figure he just wandered off and maybe got…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-chabon/we-figure-he-must-have-let-him-out-the-perpetrator-i-mean-he-s-blind/) [Michael Chabon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-chabon/) > [“Then I reminded myself that I was always willing to listen to arguments in favor of avoiding an unpleasant chore, and I shook my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-chabon/then-i-reminded-myself-that-i-was-always-willing-to-listen-to/) [Michael Chabon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-chabon/) > [“Love great first lines and paragraphs. From The Yiddish Policemen's Union: Nine months Landsman's been flopping at the Hotel Zamenhof without any of his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-chabon/love-great-first-lines-and-paragraphs-from-the-yiddish-policemen-s/) [Michael Chabon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-chabon/) > [“Life blew in gusts from the hole in the side of the elephant with a rank smell and a comic flatulence.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-chabon/life-blew-in-gusts-from-the-hole-in-the-side-of-the-elephant-with-a/) [Michael Chabon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-chabon/) > [Not only would I never want to belong to any club that would have me for a member--if elected I would wear street shoes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-chabon/not-only-would-i-never-want-to-belong-to-any-club-that-would-have-me/) [Michael Chabon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-chabon/) > [That's the best thing about writing, when you're in that zone, you're porous, ready to absorb the solution.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-chabon/that-s-the-best-thing-about-writing-when-you-re-in-that-zone-you-re/) [Michael Chabon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-chabon/) > [Most science fiction seemed to be written for people who already liked science fiction; I wanted to write stories for anyone, anywhere, living at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-chabon/most-science-fiction-seemed-to-be-written-for-people-who-already/) [Michael Chabon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-chabon/) > [ “For as long as I could remember, I'd been making vague and confident assurances that any day I would finish the thing \[my book\].… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-chabon/for-as-long-as-i-could-remember-i-d-been-making-vague-and-confident/) [Michael Chabon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-chabon/) [Explore all 436 Michael Chabon quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-chabon/) ## More Airports quotes > [In luggage claim at the Minneapolis airport, the guy came up to me and said, "Maybe you're wrong, maybe stories do matter." 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They are the same sort of company as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-roach/sharing-a-room-with-a-cadaver-is-only-mildly-different-from-being-in/) [Mary Roach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-roach/) > [I wrapped a movie called 'Zombieland,' in which I was constantly under assault by zombies, then flew to New York, still very much in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/woody-harrelson/i-wrapped-a-movie-called-zombieland-in-which-i-was-constantly-under/) [Woody Harrelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/woody-harrelson/) > [If I never saw another airport again, I'd be happy!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emm-gryner/if-i-never-saw-another-airport-again-i-d-be-happy/) [Emm Gryner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emm-gryner/) > [If Real Madrid land on Manchester airport, then the airport will be surely flooded just to see one player whom fans want most. Everyone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-neville/if-real-madrid-land-on-manchester-airport-then-the-airport-will-be/) [Gary Neville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-neville/) > [What you must understand is oppression does not end with the niggers. It does not end with the poor people, it doesn't end with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/florynce-kennedy/what-you-must-understand-is-oppression-does-not-end-with-the-niggers/) [Florynce Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/florynce-kennedy/) > [She was standing in the airport of Copenhagen, staring at a doorway, trying to figure out if it was (a) a bathroom and (b)…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maureen-johnson/she-was-standing-in-the-airport-of-copenhagen-staring-at-a-doorway/) [Maureen Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maureen-johnson/) > [I don't like waiting in airports for my bags. Even worse, I don't like waiting in airports when my bags are lost.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-waugh/i-don-t-like-waiting-in-airports-for-my-bags-even-worse-i-don-t-like/) [Steve Waugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-waugh/) > [I am a Black revolutionary woman, and because of this i have been charged with and accused of every alleged crime in which a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/assata-shakur/i-am-a-black-revolutionary-woman-and-because-of-this-i-have-been/) [Assata Shakur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/assata-shakur/) > [I'm interested in people who become culturally fluent. And when I meet young people I'm often amazed they don't quite seem to have a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-gibson/i-m-interested-in-people-who-become-culturally-fluent-and-when-i-meet/) [William Gibson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-gibson/) > [I associate going to an airport with work because I travel so much with my job. 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Escape, maybe.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-ware/airports-say-work-and-security-checks-and-delays-ports-say-i-don-t/) [Ruth Ware](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-ware/) Browse all 490 Airports quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I don't have a problem with many uses of the word genre, just certain ones. I have the most trouble when these labels are used to prevent discussion, to prevent a work from being taken seriously as literature. 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