Essential characteristic of the really great novelist: a Christ-like, all-embracing compassion.

Summary

This quote suggests that the crucial quality possessed by highly acclaimed novelists is an encompassing empathy reminiscent of the compassion demonstrated by Jesus Christ. It implies that great novelists transcend personal biases and prejudices, enabling them to understand, relate to, and portray a diverse range of characters with deep understanding and without judgment. By embodying such compassion, these writers have the ability to create rich and authentic narratives that resonate with readers and elicit profound emotional responses.

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