Perhaps he was a fool, but he thought that if a work were truly great you would only have to read it once and you would be stolen from yourself, desperately moved, changed forever.
The quote reflects a belief that a truly remarkable piece of literature has the power to profoundly impact a reader's life. The individual in the quote suggests that a great work of art can transform one's perspective and emotions so intensely that a single reading is sufficient to evoke a deep, lasting change. This idea implies that genuine greatness in literature transcends mere entertainment; it resonates with the soul and alters...