Dear M,
Sixty-five pages into the book, I have it moderately figured out - the question being, is it trashy or brilliant?
(Read about the book here)
The truth is, it is dangerously close to the border that it runs a risk of being shot down by the Border Security Forces of both the sides or at least the Air Force, for trespassing. If you refer the definition of Trash and look at this book, yes it has those plenty. If you refer the definition of a 'profound piece of art' and look back here, hmm.. yeah this book is 'profound' too, in a way that makes you want to skip a few pages out of boredom.
No wonder, despite what the summary and the synopsis indicated, the book is considered path-breaking. It is a bold attempt, there is no denying that. Not that I know much about the expectations from books in the seventies, but this could have shaken a few buildings with its sheer presence. If you choose to read the trash part, that's what you'll see. If you choose to ignore the detailed descriptions and concentrate on the concentration camps, you can see that too.
Coming back to our own writing. Yes, we do want our writing to be ground-shaking. No, we don't want our writing to be considered trash. Yes, we want people to be able to read it easily, without getting bored. No, we don't want them to think it is too easy that a Kindergärtner could have written it. Yes, we want them to call it bloody brilliant and intelligent. No, we don't want them to say it is too deep that they had a near-drowning experience. Yes, we want them to call it thought-provoking. No, we don't want them to fall asleep while reading it. Yes, we want them to talk about it for days to come. No, we don't want them to say it is too bold for our times. Yes, we would like a Nobel or two, thank you very much.
Well, good luck with that.
Love.
Sixty-five pages into the book, I have it moderately figured out - the question being, is it trashy or brilliant?
(Read about the book here)
The truth is, it is dangerously close to the border that it runs a risk of being shot down by the Border Security Forces of both the sides or at least the Air Force, for trespassing. If you refer the definition of Trash and look at this book, yes it has those plenty. If you refer the definition of a 'profound piece of art' and look back here, hmm.. yeah this book is 'profound' too, in a way that makes you want to skip a few pages out of boredom.
No wonder, despite what the summary and the synopsis indicated, the book is considered path-breaking. It is a bold attempt, there is no denying that. Not that I know much about the expectations from books in the seventies, but this could have shaken a few buildings with its sheer presence. If you choose to read the trash part, that's what you'll see. If you choose to ignore the detailed descriptions and concentrate on the concentration camps, you can see that too.
Coming back to our own writing. Yes, we do want our writing to be ground-shaking. No, we don't want our writing to be considered trash. Yes, we want people to be able to read it easily, without getting bored. No, we don't want them to think it is too easy that a Kindergärtner could have written it. Yes, we want them to call it bloody brilliant and intelligent. No, we don't want them to say it is too deep that they had a near-drowning experience. Yes, we want them to call it thought-provoking. No, we don't want them to fall asleep while reading it. Yes, we want them to talk about it for days to come. No, we don't want them to say it is too bold for our times. Yes, we would like a Nobel or two, thank you very much.
Well, good luck with that.
Love.
Very interesting read as always. The last part is thought-provoking and hilarious too :)
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