The "should write a novel" bit was a joke. To your broader point, it depends what you want out of the novel. If you want world-building and dialog -- as I poin

The "should write a novel" bit was a joke. To your broader point, it depends what you want out of the novel. If you want world-building and dialog -- as I pointed out -- you won't get those from the Cliff notes. I think that's fine, as I don't want them. Or rather, I don't want them as much as I want other things I can spend my time on. And you're right, I don't read much fiction. The only piece I remember reading all year was The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber, a short story by Hemmingway. It was fine.