Books Quote by Steven Brust
““A novel, in which all is created by the author's whim, must strike a more profound level of truth, or it is worthless." "And yet, I have heard you say that any novel that relieves your ennui for an hour has proved its usefulness." "You have a good memory. It must have been ten thousands of years ago that I uttered those words." "And if it was?" "In another ten thousand, perhaps I will agree with them again." "In my opinion, the proper way to judge a novel is this: Does it give one an accurate reflection of the moods and characteristics of a particular group of people in a particular place at a particular time? If so, it has value. Otherwise, it has none." "You do not find this rather narrow?" "Madam—" "Well?" "I was quoting you.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Incremental the Steven Brust, 1995
A novel’s worth lies in its truthful depiction of a specific time, place, and people, not merely in authorial whim.
In simple terms: A good novel reflects its world accurately.
Key Takeaway
Seek authenticity in stories.
Themes
literature
truth
culture
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
Type
critical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- book clubs
- academic analysis
- creative writing workshops
- publishing decisions
Key Concepts
historical context
authorial intent
reader experience
Questions to Reflect On
- What makes a novel valuable to you?
- Can a story be useful without being historically accurate?
A Different Perspective
Some argue that artistic imagination can transcend strict realism.
