--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A novel, in which all is created by the…" description: "\"“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..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/de5/steven-brust-7934_books_a-novel-in-which-all-is-created-by-the-a_2686479.png" --- # A novel, in which all is created by the author's whim… ![“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…” quote by Steven Brust](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/de5/steven-brust-7934_books_a-novel-in-which-all-is-created-by-the-a_2686479.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/de5/steven-brust-7934_books_a-novel-in-which-all-is-created-by-the-a_2686479.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/de5/steven-brust-7934_books_a-novel-in-which-all-is-created-by-the-a_2686479.png) > ““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.”” [Steven Brust](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-brust/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. 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. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Books](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books/) [Literary criticism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/literary-criticism/) [Novel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/novel/) [Novel Does](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/novel-does-418307/) [Novel Relieves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/novel-relieves-2623100/) [Novels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/novels/) [Quoting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/quoting/) [Say Novel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/say-novel-2623099/) [Stories](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stories/) [Truth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truth/) [Writer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writer/) [Years ago](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/years-ago/) ## Related quotes > [All novels are about crime. You'd be hard pressed to find any novel that does not have an element of crime. 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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. 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