Novelist of enduring quality (5)
I believe the answer is:
hardy
This clue might be a double definition.
'novelist' is the first definition.
(Hardy is a novelist)
'enduring quality' is the second definition.
'hardy' can be an answer for 'enduring' (thesaurus). I'm not certain of the 'quality' bit.
'of' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for hardy that I've seen before include "16 novelist" , "description of certain annuals" , "Author of Jude the Obscure" , "flag-captain" , "See 16" .)