In this article, Timothy Bewes responds to a review of his book, "Free Indirect: The Novel in a Postfictional Age," by Michael Lucey. Bewes acknowledges Lucey's skepticism and differences of approach, but wishes for more specific critiques rather than speculative claims. He emphasizes that his argument does not exclude any particular writers or works, and that there is a principle of noncanonicity at the heart of his argument. Bewes also discusses the importance of paying attention to the novel's own message and the enigma and power of the novel as a mode of thought. [Extracted from the article]