Complex sentence: All novels, whatever else they may do, inevitably instruct Us on life, but the engaged novel tells us that we may relate this knowledge or not to whatever sphere of reality we choose, whenever and however we wish.
Split into simpler sentences: All novels, whatever else they may do, inevitably instruct us on life. Engaged novel tells us that we may or may not, relate this knowledge to whatever sphere of reality we choose, whenever and however we wish.