This quote draws attention to the metaphorical role that anaemia, or deficiencies in vitality and energy, play within the realm of fiction. Characters in novels often undergo emotional and moral struggles that leave them metaphorically 'anemic,' deprived of strength or health due to their circumstances, choices, or the themes explored in the narrative. Literature frequently provides a mirror to the human condition, highlighting our vulnerabilities and the ways in which emotional or psychological 'illnesses' manifest through storytelling.

The notion that anaemia affects characters principally in novels suggests that storytelling itself may serve as a reflection of societal or personal malaise. Characters suffering from 'anaemia' could symbolize the numbness, disconnection, or existential fatigue found in the modern human experience. Literature, then, becomes a space where these 'illnesses' are explored, understood, and sometimes healed. It emphasizes the importance of character development and the depth of internal struggles. The quote also invites us to consider how narrative arts reveal the often invisible ailments of the soul—depression, apathy, despair—by embodying them in fictional characters.

On a broader societal level, this sentence might critique how real societal issues like depression or emotional exhaustion are often masked or misunderstood—yet in novels, they are vividly depicted. This underscores the enduring relevance of literature as a tool for empathy and understanding, allowing readers to see their own 'anaemia'—their own struggles—reflected in heroic, tragic, or ordinary characters. Ultimately, the quote encapsulates the idea that fiction is a vital mirror and vessel for exploring the complex, often hidden, facets of human health—physical, emotional, and spiritual—and their integral role in the human narrative.