Only two classes of books are of universal appeal: the very best and the very worst.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Books that appeal to everyone tend to be either exceptionally good or exceptionally bad.
- In plain terms
- Universal appeal happens when a book is a masterpiece or terrible.
- What can you take from it?
- Outstanding quality or poor quality both attract mass attention.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Why do people love bad books?
- Is mediocrity invisible?
Another view
Many good books fail to reach wide audiences.
More from Ford Madox Ford
What the artist wishes to do - as far as you are concerned - is to take you out of yourself. As far as he is concerned, he wishes to express himself.
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