Books Quote by Robert Harris
“It is perfectly legitimate to write novels which are essentially prose poems, but in the end, I think, a novel is like a car, and if you buy a car and grow flowers in it, you're forgetting that the car is designed to take you somewhere else.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: The Art of the Novel, BBC Radio 4, 2015
Novels should serve a purpose beyond poetic form, providing direction and purpose like a vehicle, not just decorative space.
In simple terms: Novels need function, not just beauty.
Key Takeaway
Write with clear narrative direction.
Themes
literature
purpose
structure
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- creative writing workshops
- book clubs
- editing sessions
Key Concepts
narrative function
artistic expression
reader engagement
Questions to Reflect On
- What purpose does your story serve?
- How do you balance form and function?
A Different Perspective
Purely experimental works may alienate readers.
