Books Quote by Roger Ebert
““Sparks recently went on record as saying he is a greater novelist than Cormac McCarthy. This is true in the same sense that I am a better novelist than William Shakespeare. Sparks also said his novels are like Greek Tragedies. This may actually be true. I can't check it out because, tragically, no really bad Greek tragedies have survived.””
About This Quote
Source Interview: Roger Ebert on Stephen King, 2005
The speaker humorously claims superiority over renowned writers, highlighting the subjectivity of literary greatness and the loss of certain works over time.
In simple terms: Claims of superiority are subjective and some works are lost.
Key Takeaway
Recognize personal bias and value lost art.
Themes
literary criticism
humor
subjectivity
Mood
wry
critical
Type
satirical
analytical
When to use this quote
- book reviews
- author interviews
- literary debates
Key Concepts
comparative analysis
canon formation
Questions to Reflect On
- How does personal taste shape judgments?
- What value remains in lost works?
A Different Perspective
Subjectivity can distort objective assessment.
![“A writer who renders the brutal actions of men in excruciating detail, seldom applying the anesthetic of psychology, [Cormac] McCarthy would much rather orate than confide.” quote by Richard B. Woodward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/03a/richard-b-woodward-272508_psychology_a-writer-who-renders-the-brutal-actions_776104.jpg)
![“Gene [Siskel] often mentioned something François Truffaut once told him: the most beautiful sight in a movie theater is to walk down to the front, turn around, and look at the light from the screen reflected on the upturned faces of the members of the audience.” quote by Roger Ebert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/2d8/roger-ebert-655_audience_gene-siskel-often-mentioned-something-fr_61356.jpg)
