"Literature is mostly serious if not sad"?

Posted by Henry on April 21, 2004

In Reply to: "Literature is mostly serious if not sad"? posted by ABC on April 20, 2004

: It seems that most literary books (with few exceptions) are serous if not sad? Is this a fair comment or description of literature?

Yes, I think I would agree with you. Literature puts its characters in demanding situations and gives them difficult choices. If events run smoothly, that makes for a very comfortable life but a very undemanding book.