Books Quote by Wilkie Collins
“The dull people decided years and years ago, as everyone knows, that novel-writing was the lowest species of literary exertion, and that novel reading was a dangerous luxury and an utter waste of time.”
About This Quote
The speaker dismisses novel writing and reading as lowbrow and wasteful, reflecting a disdain for popular literature.
In simple terms: Novels are seen as trivial and harmful.
Key Takeaway
Question the value of popular fiction.
Themes
literary hierarchy
elitism
culture wars
Mood
critical
skeptical
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- academic curricula
- book clubs
- publishing industry
Key Concepts
novel criticism
reading habits
Questions to Reflect On
- Why do some consider novels lowbrow?
- What benefits do novels provide?
A Different Perspective
Such views ignore novels’ social and artistic contributions.
