F Kermode and L C Knights were both Cambridge men.
Professor Kermode said a test of a novel was whether it was worth reading again.
Professor Knights said a test of a novel was whether he walked more in the world after reading it.
What do you think defines a good novel?
I read somewhere that the test of a good novel was whether you could remember the names of the characters long after you had finished the book. (Or was it the test of a good character creation?) I suppose that this means that the author has managed to bring these characters to life in you.
Therem Harth re Estraven and Genly Ai. How's that for retained in the memory?
I like Lucy's and Lorraine's answers.
Sorry, Paul ;)
My test would be: imagine you're halfway through the novel and you lose the book or it gets wiped from your device etc. Would you care enough to get another copy?