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Mostly these days I read modern writers. In college I read some of the classic writers and did connect with some voices. For me that's most important. If I can 'hear the voice' loud and clear, connect with the sensibilities I'm hooked. Once I like a writer I care very little about the story, where he/she wants to take me, I'm a willing passenger and companion regardless. 'Course, if they deliver me somewhere it is all the better.
I'll read anything by Michael Chabon, Charles Bukowski, (these two couldn't be more different in style), Norman Mailer, Jerzy Kozinski, Larry McMurtry, Albert Camus, Joyce Carol Oates, Dom Dillilo, Elie Wiesel and others...
Location: I will be escaping Suck City and landing in Tampa in December
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Generally, I prefer classics but I don't like a lot of American Classics --Twain, Steinbeck, Faulkner. Hemingway, Fitzgerald are great. I detest Flannery O'Connor.
I am choosier when it comes to contemporary fiction but there are some amazing books and writers working today. Franzen pwns all.
I agree that there are some excellent choices among contemporary non-fiction. Any biography by James McPherson tends to be well-researched and downright fascinating.
I have read and liked some contemporary fiction--Richard Russo is very funny (although he tends to use the same scenery, characters and plot), and I also enjoy Larry McMurtry's work--but the classics are still my go-to when I am deciding what to read next (as well as what I enjoy most.)
I also agree about the gratuitous use of crude language, violence, etc. in contemporary lit--it is difficult for me to respect a book that relies on such elements to appeal to its audience (c.f. "Atonement.")
I'm more of a classics guy, but can't really rule out modern writers. A classic to me is a book that has proven itself to stand up over time. There are so many books that have done this that I don't really see a need to read too many modern authors-- let someone else prove 'em out.
I read everything and enjoy a good, well-told, universal story. Isn't that what makes a classic? It's a book that speaks to people regardless of the era they're living in. If a book written today sticks around for 100, 200, 500 years--it'll be a classic too.
I'm way behind everyone else, with much catching up to do.
Recently, I just finished reading The Plague by Camus. I had put it down several months ago, but picked it up again (mid-way thru) and read to the end. Now I've started Crime & Punishment. I have more classics to read before getting it on with contemporary literature.
Location: I will be escaping Suck City and landing in Tampa in December
346 posts, read 910,487 times
Reputation: 202
Quote:
Originally Posted by StarlaJane
I agree that there are some excellent choices among contemporary non-fiction. Any biography by James McPherson tends to be well-researched and downright fascinating.
I have read and liked some contemporary fiction--Richard Russo is very funny (although he tends to use the same scenery, characters and plot), and I also enjoy Larry McMurtry's work--but the classics are still my go-to when I am deciding what to read next (as well as what I enjoy most.)
I also agree about the gratuitous use of crude language, violence, etc. in contemporary lit--it is difficult for me to respect a book that relies on such elements to appeal to its audience (c.f. "Atonement.")
Atonement has gratuitous sex, violence, etc? I'm not sure I agree with that. That was a great book with a gutsy ending (made into a lame film).
There is a fine line between literary merit and "schmaltzy melodrama" that contemporary lit and genre lit equally walk. I'm not going to claim all contemp lit is isolated from criticism more geared toward genre lit.
Atonement has gratuitous sex, violence, etc? I'm not sure I agree with that. That was a great book with a gutsy ending (made into a lame film).
There is a fine line between literary merit and "schmaltzy melodrama" that contemporary lit and genre lit equally walk. I'm not going to claim all contemp lit is isolated from criticism more geared toward genre lit.
I was mostly referring to the crude language. I don't know of any "great book" that has the word "c&$^" in it.
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I'm not sure I agree with that. That was a great book with a gutsy ending (made into a lame film).
