Books Quote by Philip Pullman
““There are some themes, some subjects, too large for adult fiction; they can only be dealt with adequately in a children’s book. In adult literary fiction, stories are there on sufferance. Other things are felt to be more important: technique, style, literary knowingness… The present-day would-be George Eliots take up their stories as if with a pair of tongs. They’re embarrassed by them. If they could write novels without stories in them, they would. Sometimes they do. We need stories so much that we’re even willing to read bad books to get them, if the good books won’t supply them. We all need stories, but children are more frank about it.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman, 1995
Adult literature often avoids deep emotional truth, leaving children’s books to carry essential storytelling that adults shy away from.
In simple terms: Adults dodge big themes; kids tell them plainly.
Key Takeaway
Embrace honest storytelling.
Themes
storytelling
literature
authenticity
childhood
adult fiction
Mood
reflective
critical
Type
analytical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- teaching children
- writing workshops
- publishing decisions
- reading groups
- literary analysis
Key Concepts
emotional truth
literary criticism
genre expectations
Questions to Reflect On
- Why do adults prefer style over substance?
- How can children's literature influence adult perspectives?
A Different Perspective
Adults may resist confronting uncomfortable truths.
![“[I]n adult literary fiction, stories are there on sufferance. Other things are felt to be more important: technique, style, literary knowingness. Adult readers who do deal in straightforward stories find themselves sidelined into a genre such as crime or science fiction, where no one expects…” quote by Philip Pullman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/7a7/philip-pullman-525_books_i-n-adult-literary-fiction-stories-are-t_1804165.jpg)
