Books Quote by Sydney Smith
“The main question to a novel is -- did it amuse? were you surprised at dinner coming so soon? did you mistake eleven for ten? were you too late to dress? and did you sit up beyond the usual hour? If a novel produces these effects, it is good; if it does not -- story, language, love, scandal itself cannot save it. It is only meant to please; and it must do that or it does nothing.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Novel, 1811
A novel should entertain and surprise, delivering pleasure through its story, language, and emotional impact; without that, it fails its purpose.
In simple terms: A good novel entertains and delights.
Key Takeaway
Focus on creating enjoyable, engaging narratives.
Themes
entertainment
literature
pleasure
Mood
playful
reflective
Type
critical
observational
When to use this quote
- book clubs
- creative writing classes
- publishing decisions
- reading recommendations
Key Concepts
Aesthetics
narrative theory
Questions to Reflect On
- What elements make a story truly enjoyable?
- How do surprise and amusement affect reader engagement?
A Different Perspective
If a novel is overly did, it may lack depth or lasting value.
![“[T]he 47th proposition in Euclid might now be voted down with as much ease as any proposition in politics; and therefore if Lord Hawkesbury hates the abstract truths of science as much as he hates concrete truth in human affairs, now is his time for getting rid of the multiplication table, and…” quote by Sydney Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/709/sydney-smith-6523_abstract_t-he-47th-proposition-in-euclid-might-no_463551.jpg)
