Try any goddam thing you like, no matter how boringly normal or outrageous. If it works, fine. If it doesn't, toss it. Toss it even if you love it.
Stephen KingRead
Not every book has to be loaded with symbolism, irony, or musical language, but it seems to me that every book-at least every one worth reading-is about something.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Every worthwhile book conveys a central theme or message, even if it's straightforward.
In this quote, Stephen King emphasizes that while literary techniques like symbolism and irony have their place, the essence of a good book lies in its engagement with a specific idea or theme. He suggests that a book should impart meaning and insight, making it valuable to the reader, rather than being just a complex arrangement of words.
Themes
BooksReadingLiteratureMeaningTheme
In practice
Example use cases
Use this quote to spark a discussion in a literature class about the purpose of reading.
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That's the day's business. Thinking. Thinking and isolation, because it doesn't matter if you pass the time of day with someone or not; in the end, you're alone. He seemed to have put in as many miles in his brain as he had with his feet. The thoughts kept coming and there was no way to deny them.
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Late last night and the night before, tommyknockers, tommyknockers knocking on my door. I wanna go out, don't know if I can 'cuz I'm so afraid of the tommyknocker man.
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