The Three Distances: How novels work (or, perhaps, should work)

I can’t remember when I first heard of the “Three Distances,” but I’ve been fascinated by the idea for many years. It’s a concept about how novels work – or, perhaps, should work – and strikes me as true. It explains why some novels seems trivial and others profound. It shows that the novel, as a form, has a purpose and a meaning. It helps distinguish the great (or good) novels from the bad ones and the fakes. It also suggests the stance a novelist should take towards his or her material. Continue reading