"あらかじめ小説に対して任意であると非難されることなく保持し得る唯一の義務は、それが面白いということです。"

This quote is really getting at the heart of what it means to write a novel. The core idea here is pretty straightforward: the fundamental thing we can ask of a novel, without being unfair, is that it keeps us interested. That's it. Not that it teaches us something, not that it follows a specific structure, but simply that it holds our attention.

So, why was this idea put forward? It’s relevant because literature, over time, has had so many expectations piled onto it. Think about all the debates over what makes a book "good" — is it the depth of its characters, the intricacy of its plot, or perhaps the beauty of its language? The quote sweeps all these debates aside and says, “Look, if it’s interesting, it’s doing its job.”

Let’s bring it into a real-life context. Imagine you’re reading "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" for the first time. You're not thinking about the intricacies of J.K. Rowling's writing style or the deeper themes she might be exploring about good and evil. You’re just hooked, turning page after page because you want to know what’s going to happen next. That’s the magic of an interesting book — it pulls you in and keeps you there. You might later appreciate the world-building or the character development, but the first and foremost obligation the book meets is that it's interesting.

How do you apply this wisdom if you're a writer or even if you're just picking out what to read next? If you write, focus on creating something that you yourself find fascinating. If you're deeply interested in what you're writing, chances are your readers will be too. Don’t get bogged down by trying to make it fit a certain mold or trying to achieve some lofty literary standard. If you’re a reader, don’t feel pressured to read something just because it’s considered a classic or it’s on a bestseller list. If it’s not holding your interest, it’s okay to put it down and find something that does.

Here’s a scenario that might hit home: picture a book club. You've got a group of friends, and every month you choose a new book. One month, someone picks a critically acclaimed novel that’s won a bunch of awards. Everyone starts reading it, but during the next meeting, the consensus is clear — it’s boring. Sure, it’s well-written, and the themes are profound, but it’s a slog to get through. So, the next month, you pick a thriller, something with twists and turns on every page. Guess what? Everyone’s excited to talk about it, everyone finished it, and most importantly, everyone enjoyed the ride. That’s the power of an interesting book.

In short, whether you’re writing or reading, don't overcomplicate things. Focus on what holds your attention and what keeps you turning the pages. If a novel can do that, it’s already fulfilling its most important obligation. So next time you're stuck in a book you’re not enjoying or you’re stressed about writing the next great American novel, just remember: the only thing that really matters is that it’s interesting. Everything else is secondary.