Buffistas

And almost sixty-five percent of that was actual compliment. Is that a personal best?

Xander ,'End of Days'

We're Literary 2: To Read Makes Our Speaking English Good

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."

First Previous Next Last Recent

Steph L. - Jul 03, 2004 4:40:07 pm PDT #4532 of 10002

I look more rad than Lutheranism

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).

§ ita § - Jul 03, 2004 4:43:21 pm PDT #4533 of 10002

Well not canonically, no, but this is transformative fiction.

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.

Steph L. - Jul 03, 2004 4:44:58 pm PDT #4534 of 10002

I look more rad than Lutheranism

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.

Daisy Jane - Jul 03, 2004 4:45:17 pm PDT #4535 of 10002

"This bar smells like kerosene and stripper tears."

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.

Polter-Cow - Jul 03, 2004 4:47:32 pm PDT #4536 of 10002

What else besides ramen can you scoop? YOU CAN SCOOP THIS WORLD FROM DARKNESS!

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?"

Daisy Jane - Jul 03, 2004 4:47:43 pm PDT #4537 of 10002

"This bar smells like kerosene and stripper tears."

And what do the Castaneda books do?

victor infante - Jul 03, 2004 4:48:53 pm PDT #4538 of 10002

To understand what happened at the diner, we shall use Mr. Papaya! This is upsetting because he's the friendliest of fruits.

And what do the Castaneda books do?

Get stoned. Drop acid. Ponder.

Steph L. - Jul 03, 2004 4:49:15 pm PDT #4539 of 10002

I look more rad than Lutheranism

The Casteneda books just hang out and chill, happy in their groove.

t edit Heh. Funny x-post.

Gus - Jul 03, 2004 4:50:10 pm PDT #4540 of 10002

Bag the crypto. Say what is on your mind.

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.

Daisy Jane - Jul 03, 2004 4:50:29 pm PDT #4541 of 10002

"This bar smells like kerosene and stripper tears."

I was going to mention acid, but having never done it, I wasn't sure it was the effect I was going for.

First Previous Next Last Recent