Book Quote by Miriam Toews
““My mother tells Tina that she doesn't like books where the protagonist is established as Sad on page one. Okay, she's sad! We get it, we know what sad is, and then the whole book is basically a description of the million and one ways in which our protagonist is sad. Gimme a break! Get on with it!””
About This Quote
Source Novel: All My Friends Are Going to Be Strangers, 2019
The author criticizes stories that overemphasize a character’s sadness from the start, making the narrative feel redundant and lacking depth.
In simple terms: Overusing sadness makes a story flat.
Key Takeaway
Avoid cliche emotional hooks.
Themes
writing
character development
authenticity
Mood
frustrated
critical
Type
literary criticism
opinion
When to use this quote
- novel critique
- creative writing workshops
- editing sessions
Key Concepts
emotional monotony
narrative balance
Questions to Reflect On
- How can writers show depth without over‑explaining?
- What alternatives exist to convey melancholy?
A Different Perspective
Even subtle sadness can be meaningful if handled well.
