Jayne ,'Objects In Space'
There's more to life than watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer! No. Really, there is! Honestly! Here's a place for Buffistas to come and discuss what it is they're reading, their favorite authors and poets. "Geez. Crack a book sometime."
Literary fiction = "We can't slot it anywhere else, and we really like it" or "Well, it's in a genre you/I may not like, but it should be read anyway. It's ART."
I think.
I thought the definition of litfic was something I was too much of a tech plebe geek to get, and I'm glad to see the amount of dissent. I felt like a moron the first time I had to ask, based probably on something like finding James Baldwin shelved outside litfic when I was sure he was all erudite and shit.
Literary fiction = "We can't slot it anywhere else, and we really like it" or "Well, it's in a genre you/I may not like, but it should be read anyway. It's ART."
I suppose I'm a populist when it comes to reading (which is a nice way of saying "cheap, up-against-the-shelves textwhore"), but the designation "literary fiction" smacks of snobbery to me. Litfic always seems to be books that will never be on the Times' bestseller list, and/or books that are long and ponderous (dude, NEVER read Prague) OR about really depressing subjects (see also, every damn book Oprah picks for her club).
the designation "literary fiction" smacks of snobbery to me
Yeah, me too, and it will until someone who likes and values the definition can explain it to me.
It's the books that are better than the other books. It's like a Cabal of books.
It's like a Cabal of books.
All the Don DeLillo books and David Foster Wallace books get together and snicker at the Jenny Crusies and the John Grishams.
I wasn't talking just about the writers' thought processes, though ita's point about what was planned and what happened out of necessity or whatever is well taken.
I was saying that I don't think your analogy is valid, and then I was asking what the difference is between picking apart a show and picking apart a book. I have no answer in mind, I'm just asking.
All the Don DeLillo books and David Foster Wallace books get together and snicker at the Jenny Crusies and the John Grishams.
And Jenny and John huddle together and lament, "Why won't those stupid idiots let me in their crappy club for jerks?"
And what do the Castaneda books do?
And what do the Castaneda books do?
Get stoned. Drop acid. Ponder.
The Casteneda books just hang out and chill, happy in their groove.
t edit Heh. Funny x-post.
Right with you, until ...
(see also, every damn book Oprah picks for her club).
She picked The Deep End of the Ocean, right? There was all kinds of good stuff in that book.
was saying that I don't think your analogy is valid, and then I was asking what the difference is between picking apart a show and picking apart a book. I have no answer in mind, I'm just asking.
eta: Heather, I got that. I am studying on it. This means there will be forethought, which may very well result in agreement with you position. Or, possibly, devasting rhetorical bombardment.
More likely?
The latter.