The only obligation to which in advance we may hold a novel… - Henry James

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The only obligation to which in advance we may hold a novel without incurring the accusation of being arbitrary, is that it be interesting.

Henry James

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About Henry James

Henry James, OM (15 April 1843 – 28 February 1916) was an American author. He is regarded as a key transitional figure between literary realism and literary modernism, and is considered by many to be among the greatest novelists in the English language. He was the son of Henry James Sr. and the brother of renowned philosopher and psychologist William James and diarist Alice James.

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Alternative Names: Henricus James

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E. M. Forster Virginia Woolf F. Scott Fitzgerald Thomas Hardy William Somerset Maugham

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Obstacles are those frightening things you see when you take you eyes off your goal.

So here it is at last, the distinguished thing!

Here she drew forth a small pocket-book, took from it a card and a pencil and, after meditating a moment, wrote a few words. It is our privilege to look over her shoulder, and if we exercise it we may read the brief query: [...].

The only obligation to which in advance we may hold a novel without incurring the accusation of being arbitrary, is that it be interesting. - Henry James

About Henry James

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