--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I think I made a mistake with [Jane]…" description: "\"I think I made a mistake with [Jane] Austen by reading all six in a row. There are similarities to the plots so by the time I got to the last one I cou..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eb6/stephen-dobyns-13599_anticipate_i-think-i-made-a-mistake-with-jane-auste_3185180.jpg" --- # I think I made a mistake with \[Jane\] Austen by reading all… ![“I think I made a mistake with [Jane] Austen by reading all six in a row. There are similarities to the plots so by the time I got to the last one I could anticipate what was happening too easily. But her characterizations are amazing.” quote by Stephen Dobyns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eb6/stephen-dobyns-13599_anticipate_i-think-i-made-a-mistake-with-jane-auste_3185180.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eb6/stephen-dobyns-13599_anticipate_i-think-i-made-a-mistake-with-jane-auste_3185180.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eb6/stephen-dobyns-13599_anticipate_i-think-i-made-a-mistake-with-jane-auste_3185180.jpg) > “I think I made a mistake with \[Jane\] Austen by reading all six in a row. There are similarities to the plots so by the time I got to the last one I could anticipate what was happening too easily. But her characterizations are amazing.” [Stephen Dobyns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-dobyns/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Reading many similar novels consecutively can diminish surprise, yet deep character work remains impressive. **In simple terms:** Reading similar books reduces surprise but highlights strong characters. Key Takeaway Appreciate character depth despite predictability. Themes literature reading characterization Mood reflective appreciative Type analytical inspirational When to use this quote - book clubs - personal reading - academic study Key Concepts predictability depth anticipation Questions to Reflect On - How does predictability affect your enjoyment? - What makes strong characterizations stand out? A Different Perspective Predictability may limit engagement with plot twists. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Characterization](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/characterization/) [Failure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/failure/) [Mistake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mistake/) [Reading](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reading/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) ## Related quotes > [Updike's style is an exquisite blend of Melville and Austen: reading him is like cutting through whale blubber with embroidery scissors.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/florence-king/updike-s-style-is-an-exquisite-blend-of-melville-and-austen-reading/) [Florence King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/florence-king/) > [I made mistakes. I can’t whine about it. I’m the one that messed up and I’m paying the consequences. However, if I am given…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pete-rose/i-made-mistakes-i-can-t-whine-about-it-i-m-the-one-that-messed-up-and/) [Pete Rose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pete-rose/) > [Consider the possibility that I made a mistake I regret-and that I'll continue to regret that mistake and try to convince you to give…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chloe-neill/consider-the-possibility-that-i-made-a-mistake-i-regret-and-that-i-ll/) [Chloe Neill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chloe-neill/) > [Having your own show, where you're not in trouble all the time, because you're kind of the boss, is a wonderful experience. If I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-jefferies/having-your-own-show-where-you-re-not-in-trouble-all-the-time-because/) [Jim Jefferies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-jefferies/) > [It's always helpful to learn from your mistakes because then your mistakes seem worthwhile.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garry-marshall/it-s-always-helpful-to-learn-from-your-mistakes-because-then-your/) [Garry Marshall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garry-marshall/) > [I made a mistake when I said there were no gas chambers at Auschwitz.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-irving/i-made-a-mistake-when-i-said-there-were-no-gas-chambers-at-auschwitz/) [David Irving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-irving/) > [Whenever I've been bitten, it's because I made a mistake. I either misread the dog's body language or let my guard down at the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cesar-millan/whenever-i-ve-been-bitten-it-s-because-i-made-a-mistake-i-either/) [Cesar Millan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cesar-millan/) > [I made mistakes. I let other people influence me and make decisions, sometimes without my knowledge.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cathy-moriarty/i-made-mistakes-i-let-other-people-influence-me-and-make-decisions/) [Cathy Moriarty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cathy-moriarty/) > [Failure is not the falling down but the staying down.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-pickford/failure-is-not-the-falling-down-but-the-staying-down/) [Mary Pickford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-pickford/) > [There are a couple of times I would've liked to have married. I think I made a mistake, especially once.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-pacino/there-are-a-couple-of-times-i-would-ve-liked-to-have-married-i-think/) [Al Pacino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-pacino/) > [We must not say that every mistake is a foolish one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-tullius-cicero/we-must-not-say-that-every-mistake-is-a-foolish-one/) [Marcus Tullius Cicero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-tullius-cicero/) > [The only things one never regrets are one's mistakes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/the-only-things-one-never-regrets-are-one-s-mistakes/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [I made a mistake. That happens. It proves I'm human, which you know, for some people, is a revelation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-clinton/i-made-a-mistake-that-happens-it-proves-i-m-human-which-you-know-for/) [Hillary Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-clinton/) > [If you're honest with yourself, that's the first step in maturing and becoming a better person. If you suppress your shortcomings and fears, they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-millard/if-you-re-honest-with-yourself-that-s-the-first-step-in-maturing-and/) Keith Millard > [I made a mistake and I'll work in the season to be better. It's part of life to be a man and don't try…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-cabrera/i-made-a-mistake-and-i-ll-work-in-the-season-to-be-better-it-s-part/) [Miguel Cabrera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-cabrera/) ## More by Stephen Dobyns > [Love doesn't need a reason. Hate needs a reason.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-dobyns/love-doesn-t-need-a-reason-hate-needs-a-reason/) [Stephen Dobyns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-dobyns/) > [“Isn't that why you want to shoot yourself? To make a protest against change?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-dobyns/isn-t-that-why-you-want-to-shoot-yourself-to-make-a-protest-against/) [Stephen Dobyns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-dobyns/) > [“If he could not find beauty, nothing else would be worth finding.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-dobyns/if-he-could-not-find-beauty-nothing-else-would-be-worth-finding/) [Stephen Dobyns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-dobyns/) > [He thinks of that ocean house and wishes he were back in his former life or that one could take one moment and remain…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-dobyns/he-thinks-of-that-ocean-house-and-wishes-he-were-back-in-his-former/) [Stephen Dobyns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-dobyns/) > [My wife's dying upstairs and I can't do anything about it. I look in her face and I see the memories there. I see…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-dobyns/my-wife-s-dying-upstairs-and-i-can-t-do-anything-about-it-i-look-in/) [Stephen Dobyns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-dobyns/) > [Other than fiction and poetry I tend to read history.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-dobyns/other-than-fiction-and-poetry-i-tend-to-read-history/) [Stephen Dobyns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-dobyns/) > [Each thing I do, I rush through so I can do something else. In such a way do the days pass---a blend of stock…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-dobyns/each-thing-i-do-i-rush-through-so-i-can-do-something-else-in-such-a/) [Stephen Dobyns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-dobyns/) > [“A work of art gives testimony to what it is to be a human being. It bears witness, it extracts meaning. A work of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-dobyns/a-work-of-art-gives-testimony-to-what-it-is-to-be-a-human-being-it/) [Stephen Dobyns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-dobyns/) > [“It was not that she felt any allegiance to the truth. God knows she had cheated on too many men for the truth to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-dobyns/it-was-not-that-she-felt-any-allegiance-to-the-truth-god-knows-she/) [Stephen Dobyns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-dobyns/) > [I'm reading "The Sunset of a Splendid Century" by W.H. Lewis. He was C.S. Lewis's brother. He wrote two books about the French court…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-dobyns/i-m-reading-the-sunset-of-a-splendid-century-by-w-h-lewis-he-was-c-s/) [Stephen Dobyns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-dobyns/) > [“Each thing I do I rush through so I can do something else.. in such a way do the days pass.. I see all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-dobyns/each-thing-i-do-i-rush-through-so-i-can-do-something-else-in-such-a-2/) [Stephen Dobyns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-dobyns/) > [It was as if pain were a room he had entered and the door had been locked behind him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-dobyns/it-was-as-if-pain-were-a-room-he-had-entered-and-the-door-had-been/) [Stephen Dobyns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-dobyns/) > [Many of my poems try to use a comic element to reach a place that isn't comic at all. The comic element works as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-dobyns/many-of-my-poems-try-to-use-a-comic-element-to-reach-a-place-that-isn/) [Stephen Dobyns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-dobyns/) > [I majored in English in college and that was my major in graduate school before switching to creative writing. I read a lot of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-dobyns/i-majored-in-english-in-college-and-that-was-my-major-in-graduate/) [Stephen Dobyns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-dobyns/) > [Sometimes someone will tell me about an author I've never heard of before and that will send me to that person. That's how I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-dobyns/sometimes-someone-will-tell-me-about-an-author-i-ve-never-heard-of/) [Stephen Dobyns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-dobyns/) [Explore all 50 Stephen Dobyns quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-dobyns/) ## More Anticipate quotes > [If, as I anticipate, a wide array of personal, portable information/communication devices becomes increasingly important and widespread for information-intensive users, it will be a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-peters/if-as-i-anticipate-a-wide-array-of-personal-portable-information/) [Tom Peters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-peters/) > [Assuming normal winter weather, we currently anticipate the coal markets to remain difficult through 2015; while we always strive to operate a full capacity…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-craft/assuming-normal-winter-weather-we-currently-anticipate-the-coal/) [Joe Craft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-craft/) > [We are somehow the children of the planet, we are somehow its finest hour; we bind time, we bind the past, we anticipate the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terence-mckenna/we-are-somehow-the-children-of-the-planet-we-are-somehow-its-finest/) [Terence McKenna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terence-mckenna/) > [I like to do everything you can possibly do before you go into rehearsal, because once we are in rehearsal or on the stage…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-prince/i-like-to-do-everything-you-can-possibly-do-before-you-go-into/) [Harold Prince](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-prince/) > [The problem with merely writing so that you can be understood is that the wrong people, in advancing their agendas, are only too ready…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-a-dembski/the-problem-with-merely-writing-so-that-you-can-be-understood-is-that/) [William A. Dembski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-a-dembski/) > [I am curious to know what would happen if art were suddenly seen for what it is, namely, exact information of how to rearrange…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-mcluhan/i-am-curious-to-know-what-would-happen-if-art-were-suddenly-seen-for/) [Marshall McLuhan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-mcluhan/) > [The very best financial presentation is one that's well thought out and anticipates any questions... answering them in advance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-helps/the-very-best-financial-presentation-is-one-that-s-well-thought-out/) [Arthur Helps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-helps/) > [What's interesting about art in public spaces is that the public really sort of takes over and uses it in ways that you didn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/teresita-fernandez/what-s-interesting-about-art-in-public-spaces-is-that-the-public/) [Teresita Fernandez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/teresita-fernandez/) > [The great mistake is to anticipate the outcome of the engagement; you ought not to be thinking of whether it ends in victory or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-lee/the-great-mistake-is-to-anticipate-the-outcome-of-the-engagement-you/) [Bruce Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-lee/) > [If you don't sow your field what harvest other than thorns and weeds can you anticipate?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/if-you-don-t-sow-your-field-what-harvest-other-than-thorns-and-weeds/) [Mehmet Murat Ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [Leaders' careers will usually be determined by their handling of one or two critical events that no one could possibly anticipate or plan for.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-peters/leaders-careers-will-usually-be-determined-by-their-handling-of-one/) [Tom Peters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-peters/) > [I wish I could anticipate some of the stories and lies that will be told. 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