| Link | Quote | Stars | Tags | Author |
| 3ad1027 | Early in 1967 Highsmith's agent told her why her books did not sell in paperback in America. It was, said Patricia Schartle Myrer, because they were 'too subtle', combined with the fact that none of her characters were likeable. 'Perhaps it is because I don't like anyone,' Highsmith replied. 'My last books may be about animals'. | fiction writing likeability subtle misanthropy sold | Andrew Wilson | |
| e9fa27b | Often in literary criticism, writers are told that a character isn't likable, as if a character's likability is directly proportional to the quality of a novel's writing. | writing likeability | Roxane Gay |