What we really want is a novel showing us all the hidden under-current of an ambitious man's career--his struggles, and failures, and hopes, his disappointments and victories.
我们真正想要的,是一部揭示有志者生涯中全部隐秘暗流的小说:他的挣扎、失败、希望,以及失望与胜利。
— Jerome K. Jerome · The Idle Thoughts of an Idle Fellow · On Getting On in the World —