The weird part is trying to compare Eggers with Lethem at all -- in so many ways, they are nothing alike. And then you realize that they
are
grouped together, in a lot of people's minds, as are ten other names that show up in McSweeney's and the Georgia Review and Zoetrope. Really, though, I think they all have their own tangents, and are compared so often because they're both youngish writers who have cracked the
New Yorker
set.
Which is like comparing people because they stand on the same commuter platform in the morning, waiting for a train. I guess it's a function of how small the short-fiction world is, in part; if five people are all dabbling in the same vague areas, they must be a Movement.
Really, though, I think they all have their own tangents, and are compared so often because they're both youngish writers who have cracked the New Yorker set.
Well, and for me because I was given books by both of them on the same day. Edit: And I don't tend to read short stories, so I'm especially noticing them.
I found 'Cartoons" a little masturbatory.(not in porniness, but, you know)
Yeah...Eggers is funny, but the bitch is he knows it, too. Better than me. And if I forget, he'll remind me with a cute footnote.
- I'm a hoot and a half. Love, your friend, Dave.
I've always felt for the little brother about that. I hope all the irony hasn't been too much for him.
My newest column is up at GotPoetry.com: Your Mediocre Political Poem Is Hurting America. Usual Victor grumpiness.
No, actually, I thought it was much grumpier than usual. In another few years, you're headed for curmudgeon, babe. Then you'll wear shorts with long black socks and be a "Whatever happened to..." for some of us devoted followers.
Heh. Actually posted this in the wrong forum, but anyway...
You may be right, except that I intend to remain a very visible curmudgeon...
And please don't really go around like...Neil Young. That would be a waste.(I really did like the column...I just thought "Whoa, bad poetry evening for Victor!")
I've just finished reading
Son of a Witch
by Gregory Maguire.
I had a hard tme getting through
Wicked.
I don't care for his story telling style; He's a bit too developed for my shallow readingness. But this story, I really liked. There were a couple of things that could have been delved into a little more, and maybe I dug this more because the similarities between the Oz 10 years after Elphaba's death and our country are very much, almost beaten into you. But I enjoyed it. Enough that I might try
Wicked
again.
Anyone else read it yet?
It's in my to-read pile. Got it for Christmas. I'll plan on it after I finish the current book.
I was given
Son of a Witch
as a Christmas gift, but I haven't started reading it yet because I am still reading
Wicked.
