Books Quote by Éric-Emmanuel Schmitt
““She had pronounced the words “New Books” with caution and regret, articulating them reluctantly, as if they were vulgar, even obscene words. As I listened to her, I realised that that it was indeed a commercial term, used to designate an item in fashion, but inappropriate to define a literary work; I also realised that to her eyes I was nothing but an author of ‘New Books’ a supplier in a way. “But novels by Daudet or Maupassant - weren’t they ‘New Books’ when they came out?” I asked. “Time has given them their place”, she replied, as though I had just said something insolent.””
About This Quote
Source Play: Le Visiteur, 1993
The speaker confronts the label “New Books” as a commercial, dismissive term, challenging the speaker between market categories and literary value.
In simple terms: “New Books” feels like a shallow, market‑driven label.
Key Takeaway
Resist reducing art to mere market categories.
Themes
literature
commercialism
identity
Mood
critical
contemplative
Type
theatrical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- book publishing
- author branding
- literary criticism
Key Concepts
cultural criticism
semantic labeling
Questions to Reflect On
- What defines a “new” work?
- How do market terms shape artistic perception?
A Different Perspective
Labels can limit appreciation of timeless works.
![“Momo: [reading Ibrahim's will] This is my will and testament. I, Ibrahim Demirdji, hereby leave all my goods to Moses Schmitt, my son Momo because he chose me as his father and because I've given him everything I've learned in this life. Now you too will know what's in my Koran, Momo. It's all…” quote by Éric-Emmanuel Schmitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/46e/ric-emmanuel-schmitt-7234_bible_momo-reading-ibrahim-s-will-this-is-my-w_304742.jpg)
