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.
More from Stephen King
All quotes →Eddie discovered one of his childhood's great truths. Grownups are the real monsters, he thought.
Stephen KingRead
Hairstyles change, and skirt lengths, and slang, but high school administrations? Never.
Stephen KingRead
Description begins in the writer’s imagination, but should finish in the reader’s.
Stephen KingRead
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.
Stephen KingRead
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.
Stephen KingRead
Similar quotes
When the primary people who have influence and power in our communities are not even really allowed to educate you on who to vote for and against, we're in trouble.
Shaun KingRead
You must somehow understand that we as horsemen can do very little to teach the horse. What we can do is to create an environment in which he can learn.
Monty RobertsRead
"What greater gift can we offer the republic than to teach and instruct our youth?"
Marcus Tullius CiceroRead
My favorite subject was recess. Fortunately for me, I had a mother who believed I was smart.
Benjamin CarsonRead
The greatness of the human personality begins at the hour of birth. From this almost mystic affirmation there comes what may seem a strange conclusion: that education must start from birth.
Maria MontessoriRead
The purpose of education is to replace an empty mind with an open one.
Malcolm ForbesRead