--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: What about his style?\" asked Dalgliesh…" description: "\"“What about his style?\" asked Dalgliesh who was beginning to think that his reading had been unnecessarily restricted. \"Turgid but grammatical. And, in..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/401/p-d-james-7898_craft_what-about-his-style-asked-dalgliesh-who_1458700.jpg" --- # What about his style?" asked Dalgliesh who was beginning… ![“What about his style?" asked Dalgliesh who was beginning to think that his reading had been unnecessarily restricted. "Turgid but grammatical. And, in these days, when every illiterate debutante thinks she is a novelist, who am I to quarrel with that? Written with Fowler on his left hand and Roget…” quote by P.D. James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/401/p-d-james-7898_craft_what-about-his-style-asked-dalgliesh-who_1458700.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/401/p-d-james-7898_craft_what-about-his-style-asked-dalgliesh-who_1458700.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/401/p-d-james-7898_craft_what-about-his-style-asked-dalgliesh-who_1458700.jpg) > ““What about his style?" asked Dalgliesh who was beginning to think that his reading had been unnecessarily restricted. "Turgid but grammatical. And, in these days, when every illiterate debutante thinks she is a novelist, who am I to quarrel with that? Written with Fowler on his left hand and Roget on his right. Stale, flat and, alas, rapidly becoming unprofitable..." "What was he like as a person?" asked Dalgliesh. "Oh, difficult. Very difficult, poor fellow! I thought you knew him? A precise, self-opinionated, nervous little man perpetually fretting about his sales, his publicity or his book jackets. He overvalued his own talent and undervalued everyone else's, which didn't exactly make for popularity." "A typical writer, in fact?" suggested Dalgliesh mischievously.”” [P.D. James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-d-james-2/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The passage critiques pretentious literary criticism and the self‑absorbed nature of some writers, highlighting the tension between artistic integrity and commercial success. **In simple terms:** Criticizing pretentious writers and shallow criticism. Key Takeaway Beware of valuing style over substance. Themes literature criticism authenticity Mood analytical skeptical Type expository dialogue When to use this quote - book club discussion - author interview - creative writing workshop Key Concepts pretentiousness self‑opinion market pressures Questions to Reflect On - Do you judge a book by its style? - How can critics support emerging voices? A Different Perspective The view may overlook genuine innovation in unconventional works. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Craft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/craft/) [Reading](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reading/) [Style](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/style/) [Talent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/talent/) [Writers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writers/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [I'm not a super-selfish person, so whatever I'm asked to do I don't mind doing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/weston-mckennie/i-m-not-a-super-selfish-person-so-whatever-i-m-asked-to-do-i-don-t/) [Weston McKennie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/weston-mckennie/) > [And since I have become an actor, not one person has asked me what degree I got.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlotte-ritchie/and-since-i-have-become-an-actor-not-one-person-has-asked-me-what/) [Charlotte Ritchie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlotte-ritchie/) > [“Perhaps I am the only person who, asked whether she were a witch or not, could truthfully say, "I do not know. 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Very difficult, poor fellow! I thought you knew him? A precise, self-opinionated, nervous little man perpetually fretting about his sales, his publicity or his book jackets. He overvalued his own talent and undervalued everyone else's, which didn't exactly make for popularity.\" \"A typical writer, in fact?\" suggested Dalgliesh mischievously.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "P.D. 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