--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: a novel can best be defined as a long…" description: "\"“a novel can best be defined as a long piece of prose with something wrong with it, and”\" — Neil Gaiman" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/352/neil-gaiman-29_books_a-novel-can-best-be-defined-as-a-long-pi_623087.jpg" --- # a novel can best be defined as a long piece of prose with… ![“a novel can best be defined as a long piece of prose with something wrong with it, and” quote by Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/352/neil-gaiman-29_books_a-novel-can-best-be-defined-as-a-long-pi_623087.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/352/neil-gaiman-29_books_a-novel-can-best-be-defined-as-a-long-pi_623087.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/352/neil-gaiman-29_books_a-novel-can-best-be-defined-as-a-long-pi_623087.jpg) > ““a novel can best be defined as a long piece of prose with something wrong with it, and”” [Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A novel is essentially a long prose work that contains inherent flaws, making it distinct from other forms. **In simple terms:** A novel is long prose with something wrong. Key Takeaway Embrace imperfections as part of storytelling. Themes creativity flaws literature Mood reflective analytical Type literary critical When to use this quote - writing workshops - self‑editing - draft revisions - literary criticism Key Concepts Narrative structure authorial intent Questions to Reflect On - How do you decide which imperfections to keep? - Can flaws enhance authenticity? A Different Perspective Flaws can be intentional or accidental, affecting reader reception. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Books](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books/) [Novel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/novel/) [Prose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prose/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [All my books have been titled based on a piece of the prose from inside the book.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-miller/all-my-books-have-been-titled-based-on-a-piece-of-the-prose-from/) [Donald Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-miller/) > [Translated literature can be fascinating. 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They shine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-gaiman/what-do-stars-do-they-shine/) [Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman/) > [“What," asked Mr Croup, "do you want?" "What," asked the Marquis de Carabas, a little more rhetorically, "does anyone want?" "Dead things," suggested Mr…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-gaiman/what-asked-mr-croup-do-you-want-what-asked-the-marquis-de-carabas-a/) [Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman/) > [You get on with your own life. Lettie gave it to you. You just have to grow up and try and be worth it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-gaiman/you-get-on-with-your-own-life-lettie-gave-it-to-you-you-just-have-to/) [Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman/) > [“Eyes will not see you. Minds will not hold you. 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People who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-lang/young-men-especially-in-america-write-to-me-and-ask-me-to-recommend-a/) [Andrew Lang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-lang/) > [“Within the pages of books, I've journeyed to Mandalay, the Milky Way and Santa Fe, without once having to leave my armchair.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-ansbro/within-the-pages-of-books-i-ve-journeyed-to-mandalay-the-milky-way/) [Kevin Ansbro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-ansbro/) > [The Rosary is the book of the blind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fulton-j-sheen/the-rosary-is-the-book-of-the-blind/) [Fulton J. Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fulton-j-sheen/) > [“Tacitus did not write a most dangerous book. His readers made it so.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-k-krebs/tacitus-did-not-write-a-most-dangerous-book-his-readers-made-it-so/) Christopher K. 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