Saturday, February 24, 2007
A bumper sticker ...
... I can finally agree with.
Are any among us more representative of the age's shallowness than those who think they're making a grand statement by putting on display something that reduces a complex issue to a dimwitted slogan?
Are any among us more representative of the age's shallowness than those who think they're making a grand statement by putting on display something that reduces a complex issue to a dimwitted slogan?
Me too, I guess ...
... zombie reader.
Ed also got a nice note from Cordelia Biddle regarding his fine review of her new book: Biddle's The Conjurer.
Ed also got a nice note from Cordelia Biddle regarding his fine review of her new book: Biddle's The Conjurer.
More on ...
... that wrinkled old retainer: "You won't find men's genitalia in quality literature". Really?
Maybe it's the spelling ...
Okies, yes ...
... Oklahoma! no: 'Grapes' ripe with essence of Steinbeck. (Hat tip, Dave Lull, who writes also that "A friend of mine saw this on Sunday and said it was excellent.")
How could I have missed this ?
... Hackery: US versus UK. (Hat tip, Dave Lull.)
I largely agree. I especially agree with Chris Hale and others about the New York Times and with dark heart's selection of magazines. A lot of the problem, I suspect, is that too many U.S. journalists are clergymen and social workers manqué - less concerned with reporting on events than on affecting the outcome of said events.
I better not let my wife know ...
... about this: Shutdown Day. (Hat tip, Maxine Clarke.)
Debbie would surely want me to participate. Actually, since it's a Saturday, maybe I will.
Debbie would surely want me to participate. Actually, since it's a Saturday, maybe I will.
Maxine encounters ...
... the downside of blogging: Unpleasant Cargo.
I think that Maxine's response on Winkler's blog just about says it all. If I were going to respond to someone's post to the extent that Winkler did to Maxine's, I would alert that person, in order for my response "to be read and to invite discussion." Winkler quotes this from Maxine's post:
My basic and oft-repeated point is to wonder why the "mainline" book publishing industry operates on the huge advance/remainders system, as the quest for the next Harry Potter or Da Vinci Code is losing them (on average) a lot of money. These days the big publishers won't look at books unless submitted by an agent, so they aren't even experts at selecting the books any more; they have become marketeers, trying to catch a commercial trend rather than being innovative and original. Hence this Christmas, one can't move for books with titles almost identical to last year's "surprise hit", "Does anything eat wasps?" and last Christmas it was the same for piles of books called, with minor variants, the same as the previous year's bestseller, "Eats, shoots, and leaves".
I could have written this myself. Day after day I sit in my book room at The Inquirer and see one book after another arrive modelled on countless others that arrived previously. One genius after another has managed to snooker more than the average advance out of a publisher to give us the real lowdown on Iraq, the Bush administration, imminent doom from this, that or the other. The celebrity's ghost-written novel doubtless cost the publisher more than the average advance. From where I sit the evidence of waste, unnecessary duplication, and poor judgment in the publishing business is overwhelming.
I could go on. I think Maxine's original post was sound in its thinking and its evidence. Publishing not only needs to change course, it actually is changing course - and POD is one of the directions it happens to be taking.
It could also use some more imaginative acquisitions editors. Maxine herself is probably worth a princess's salary as an acquisitions editor for a crime fiction publisher.
I think that Maxine's response on Winkler's blog just about says it all. If I were going to respond to someone's post to the extent that Winkler did to Maxine's, I would alert that person, in order for my response "to be read and to invite discussion." Winkler quotes this from Maxine's post:
My basic and oft-repeated point is to wonder why the "mainline" book publishing industry operates on the huge advance/remainders system, as the quest for the next Harry Potter or Da Vinci Code is losing them (on average) a lot of money. These days the big publishers won't look at books unless submitted by an agent, so they aren't even experts at selecting the books any more; they have become marketeers, trying to catch a commercial trend rather than being innovative and original. Hence this Christmas, one can't move for books with titles almost identical to last year's "surprise hit", "Does anything eat wasps?" and last Christmas it was the same for piles of books called, with minor variants, the same as the previous year's bestseller, "Eats, shoots, and leaves".
I could have written this myself. Day after day I sit in my book room at The Inquirer and see one book after another arrive modelled on countless others that arrived previously. One genius after another has managed to snooker more than the average advance out of a publisher to give us the real lowdown on Iraq, the Bush administration, imminent doom from this, that or the other. The celebrity's ghost-written novel doubtless cost the publisher more than the average advance. From where I sit the evidence of waste, unnecessary duplication, and poor judgment in the publishing business is overwhelming.
I could go on. I think Maxine's original post was sound in its thinking and its evidence. Publishing not only needs to change course, it actually is changing course - and POD is one of the directions it happens to be taking.
It could also use some more imaginative acquisitions editors. Maxine herself is probably worth a princess's salary as an acquisitions editor for a crime fiction publisher.
According to Bryan ...
... and I can hardly disagree, "weird Americana is always fun on Saturday." Hence, his post about Righting the Wrongs of Wikipedia. But get this. As Bryan noticed, there is no page for "Jesus Christ," but there is one for Jesus, which has this to say about Jesus of Nazareth: "... believed by Christian followers to be God's dad, who came to earth as a human c 2 AD. However, God has recently revealed on His blog that Jesus is actually His nephew, not His son."
Whatever we make of that, I believe I can top Bryan in the Weird Americana category, with this: No Strings.
I ask you, Bryan, is there a single British politician (with the possible exception of George Galloway) who can match the blend of vacuity and inanity this bunch displays?
Whatever we make of that, I believe I can top Bryan in the Weird Americana category, with this: No Strings.
I ask you, Bryan, is there a single British politician (with the possible exception of George Galloway) who can match the blend of vacuity and inanity this bunch displays?
Friday, February 23, 2007
We conclude tonight's blogging ...
... with this extremely important announcement: God to Call Press Conference.
Maxine links to
... Nature's X-files.
Also check out Another round in the stars. The Dante Trilogy is what interests me. I have the first volume to be translated on my personal shelf at my office. Now I'm sure I'll want to review it.
Finally, Maxine also alerts us to a New series on It's a Crime!
Also check out Another round in the stars. The Dante Trilogy is what interests me. I have the first volume to be translated on my personal shelf at my office. Now I'm sure I'll want to review it.
Finally, Maxine also alerts us to a New series on It's a Crime!
This is quite interesting ...
... A conversation with oneself.
Vikram, by the way, has a very interesting review in Sunday's Inquirer.
Vikram, by the way, has a very interesting review in Sunday's Inquirer.
The grand finale ....
... 'A very trifling incident'.
Thanks to an experience I had a number of years ago, I am persuaded that death is not the absolute end of us. It isn't that I believe in an afterlife. I just think that life, once started, doesn't end.
Thanks to an experience I had a number of years ago, I am persuaded that death is not the absolute end of us. It isn't that I believe in an afterlife. I just think that life, once started, doesn't end.
I heard this on the grapevine myself ...
... yesterday: LATBR in Danger of Being Marginalized?
I may have more to say about this trend - and it is one - later on this weekend.
I may have more to say about this trend - and it is one - later on this weekend.
Blogging will resume ...
.. later on. I have things to do and will be leaving the office early today.
Nick Tosches ...
... on Erich Auerbach on Dante: World Without End. (Hat tip, Dave Lull)
Mention is made in this of Ernst Robert Curtius's European Literature in the Latin Middle Ages, a wonderful book, literary scholarship at its absolute best.
Mention is made in this of Ernst Robert Curtius's European Literature in the Latin Middle Ages, a wonderful book, literary scholarship at its absolute best.
Thursday, February 22, 2007
Good news for Brontë fans ...
... Carry on Wuthering.
Well not entirely good news, maybe even bad news: one rumor is of 'a "Hollywood comes to Yorkshire" supposedly starring Johnny Depp and Angelina Jolie.' Depp would camp it up. Jolie would simply be out of her Depp.
Well not entirely good news, maybe even bad news: one rumor is of 'a "Hollywood comes to Yorkshire" supposedly starring Johnny Depp and Angelina Jolie.' Depp would camp it up. Jolie would simply be out of her Depp.
Bryan links ...
... to a wonderful Auden poem" For Auden .
"When Auden wrote the entire history of the language flowed through his pen."
Indeed.
"When Auden wrote the entire history of the language flowed through his pen."
Indeed.
Boy, is this true ...
... from Terry Teachout's Almanac. Which is why I don't don earphones at exhibitions. I usually don't even read the stuff they tack up beside the paintings.
In today's Inquirer ...
... my predecessor as book editor, Mike Schaffer, takes a look at Jane Smiley and her new novel: Smiley's latest: Sex to the max.
... and Ed Pettit praises Cordelia Biddle's latest mystery: Book Review Mystery opens underbelly of Philadelphia society, 1842.
On Wednesday, Carlin Romano wrote about the author of The Race Beat, who have a notable connection with the paper: The press as hero on Southern civil-rights beat.
... and Ed Pettit praises Cordelia Biddle's latest mystery: Book Review Mystery opens underbelly of Philadelphia society, 1842.
On Wednesday, Carlin Romano wrote about the author of The Race Beat, who have a notable connection with the paper: The press as hero on Southern civil-rights beat.
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
OK, this has nothing to do with books ...
... but I thought I'd post it anyway. Seems Jon Bon Jovi came into the newsroom tonight and did this photo op with Susan Balée.
Today marks the centenary ...
... of Wystan Hugh Auden (this Wikipedia entry is approved by The Auden Society).
Here is a nice selection of his poems, including "Atlantis," a favorite of mine since I first read it (it seemed to be offering me personal advice).
Patrick Kurp posts some thoughts: Happy Birthday, Wystan! (Hat tip, Dave Lull.)
Wordcarving posts a tribute: This Lunar Beauty. (A hat tip to the Incomparable Minx.)
And Adam Kirsch offers and Homage to Auden. (Hat tip, Dave Lull.)
Auden was a great poet. There has been no one like him since his death. I will add to this post as occasion warrants.
Update: Something doubly appropriate: Auden on Ash Wednesday . (Hat tip, Barbara Smith.)
Also, Ed Pettit advise in a comment that the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography has made it's Auden entry available for the week: Auden, Wystan Hugh.
Update: Maxine tipped me off to this piece in the Sunday Times: Losers and limbo.
Update: Carla Bruni sings Auden and others. (Hat tip, Daniel Scott Buck.)
And here's an Auden quiz . Yours truly got 11 out of 15, described as 'Impressive. You are found by the "Bureau of Statistics to be one against whom there [is] no official complaint".' (Hat tip, Rus Bowden.)
Here is a nice selection of his poems, including "Atlantis," a favorite of mine since I first read it (it seemed to be offering me personal advice).
Patrick Kurp posts some thoughts: Happy Birthday, Wystan! (Hat tip, Dave Lull.)
Wordcarving posts a tribute: This Lunar Beauty. (A hat tip to the Incomparable Minx.)
And Adam Kirsch offers and Homage to Auden. (Hat tip, Dave Lull.)
Auden was a great poet. There has been no one like him since his death. I will add to this post as occasion warrants.
Update: Something doubly appropriate: Auden on Ash Wednesday . (Hat tip, Barbara Smith.)
Also, Ed Pettit advise in a comment that the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography has made it's Auden entry available for the week: Auden, Wystan Hugh.
Update: Maxine tipped me off to this piece in the Sunday Times: Losers and limbo.
Update: Carla Bruni sings Auden and others. (Hat tip, Daniel Scott Buck.)
And here's an Auden quiz . Yours truly got 11 out of 15, described as 'Impressive. You are found by the "Bureau of Statistics to be one against whom there [is] no official complaint".' (Hat tip, Rus Bowden.)
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Attention Brontë fans ...
... The Brontës' Influence. (Hat tip, Maxine Clarke.)
Also, here's a link to the Brontë Parsonage Museum and Brontë Society.
Also, here's a link to the Brontë Parsonage Museum and Brontë Society.
Not at all ...
... No offence? (Hat tip, Rus Bowden.)
"It seems this new wave is in thrall to literature's most base instincts, and much of it seems to be a glorification of drug use, nihilism and sex. And although I realize that this might make me sound like some kind of puritan (I'm not), I wonder how else I'm supposed to react to reading stories about drug addicts having sex with transsexual prostitutes, and the like."
This sort of thing doesn't offend me, but it is likely to bore me. I've known the drug scene a lot better than most people, and it's not terribly interesting, actually. Fictional drug scenes tend to be more interesting than the real thing, though rarely interesting enough. Fictional bars tend to be more interesting than real ones.
As for The Higher Power Of Lucky being banned from school libraries because of the use of the word scrotum, I was simply reminded of Vivian Stanshall's Rawlinson's End and the character of Scrotum, who was, I believe, a wrinkled old retainer.
Update: After I wrote the above, I kept thin king that I had heard about Scrotum, the wrinkled old retatiner long before I heard of Stanshall. Then, I remembered that I had first heard about it from a gay acquaintance when I was in college (a gay acquaintance? of mine? at a Catholic college? yes). He referred to him as a character in what he thought was a secret G&S operetta called The Sod's Opera. I have since discovered this: Request for Erotica Producer Information.
"It seems this new wave is in thrall to literature's most base instincts, and much of it seems to be a glorification of drug use, nihilism and sex. And although I realize that this might make me sound like some kind of puritan (I'm not), I wonder how else I'm supposed to react to reading stories about drug addicts having sex with transsexual prostitutes, and the like."
This sort of thing doesn't offend me, but it is likely to bore me. I've known the drug scene a lot better than most people, and it's not terribly interesting, actually. Fictional drug scenes tend to be more interesting than the real thing, though rarely interesting enough. Fictional bars tend to be more interesting than real ones.
As for The Higher Power Of Lucky being banned from school libraries because of the use of the word scrotum, I was simply reminded of Vivian Stanshall's Rawlinson's End and the character of Scrotum, who was, I believe, a wrinkled old retainer.
Update: After I wrote the above, I kept thin king that I had heard about Scrotum, the wrinkled old retatiner long before I heard of Stanshall. Then, I remembered that I had first heard about it from a gay acquaintance when I was in college (a gay acquaintance? of mine? at a Catholic college? yes). He referred to him as a character in what he thought was a secret G&S operetta called The Sod's Opera. I have since discovered this: Request for Erotica Producer Information.
Harlequin Books ....
... has partnered with Sandals Resorts for The Harlequin Everlasting Love contest.
The plot thickens ...
... We noted in this post that the appeal of religion would seem to transcend species. Now there's this: God, Science, and Telepathic Pets. (Hat tip, Dave Lull.)
Uh-oh ...
... Lord Jeffrey is in trouble: Move Over, Jeff .
Boy, will Amanda Marcotte be angry if she ever sees Bryan's observations regarding her execrable style.
Boy, will Amanda Marcotte be angry if she ever sees Bryan's observations regarding her execrable style.
I'd love to attend ...
... but doubt if I'll be able to (and I haven't been invited): The London Book Fair 2007. (Via Publishers Lunch.)
A couple of musical stories ...
... in today's Inquirer:
... David Stearns's piece on the Joyce Hatto affair: Ears don't deceive - the CD covers do.
... and more on Dame Nora: Philly's piano-playing cat is YouTube star.
... David Stearns's piece on the Joyce Hatto affair: Ears don't deceive - the CD covers do.
... and more on Dame Nora: Philly's piano-playing cat is YouTube star.
Monday, February 19, 2007
Ouch ...
... Glenn Reynolds on some bogus charges about a book.
That Steyn was warning of a future, not advocating one, has always been obvious to me. And it's a serious warning, especially given that the current civil authorities in most European countries are ineffectually waffling in full Weimar mode.
As Glenn would say, read the whole thing.
Something I missed once ....
... but won't miss twice: Wife in the Money and Wife in the Money 2: Jeff Calls .
I am beginning to understand why I am not rich.
I am beginning to understand why I am not rich.
Sunday, February 18, 2007
The view from abroad ...
... Bernanke fills Greenspan’s large shoes.
The economy seems about as good as it can get.
Funny, I haven't heard much about that.
The economy seems about as good as it can get.
Funny, I haven't heard much about that.
Something I forgot ...
... to mention. The other day, one of these guys was perched in my South Philly backyard. It's a red-tailed hawk.
Take that ...
... Secular Eschatologies and Class Interests of the Internationalized New Class. Via InstaPundit.
The link is to an abstract of the document. You have to download the document by clinking the icon in the upper left.
The link is to an abstract of the document. You have to download the document by clinking the icon in the upper left.
Another list ...
... of personal bests, this one William Boyd's: My Five Most Important Books. (Hat tip, Dave Lull.)
Today's Inquirer reviews ...
... Thomas Devaney offers of a comprehensive view of Charles Bernstein's Girly Man: His most emphatic, rewarding poems yet.
Carlin Romano assesses the achievement of James A. Michener, whose centenary took place on Feb. 3: Michener's legacy: Author or benefactor?
Roger Miller returns to his childhood to review The Dead Fathers Club: If Hamlet were 11, he might write this.
I was quite impressed by Keith Dixon's The Art of Losing: A deceptive novel morphs from caper to moral fable.
Glenn Altschuler isn't entirely convinced by Peter Wood's A Bee in the Mouth: 'New Anger' traced to those '60s liberals.
Michael Harrington likes the cartoons, but is less impressed by the life: Addams' cartoons fascinating, but not his life .
Katie Haegele is charmed by the language of Un Lun Dun: Young Adult Reader | Clever wordplay energizes this oddball adventure story.
During the past week ...
Rita Giordano was impressed by a moving personal account of autism: Book Review | Unflinching look at autism in the family.
David Walton found Vic Gatrell's City of Laughter more than just fun: Book Review | Drawing on a thirst for celebrity scandals .
Phaedra Trethan found truth and laughter in Ron Geraci's The Bachelor Chronicles: Book Review | A bachelor's witty, touching take on the dating game .
And Desmond Ryan found Stanley Weintraub's 11 Days in December to be not your usual Christmas story: Book Review | Christmas on a bloody battlefield
Carlin Romano assesses the achievement of James A. Michener, whose centenary took place on Feb. 3: Michener's legacy: Author or benefactor?
Roger Miller returns to his childhood to review The Dead Fathers Club: If Hamlet were 11, he might write this.
I was quite impressed by Keith Dixon's The Art of Losing: A deceptive novel morphs from caper to moral fable.
Glenn Altschuler isn't entirely convinced by Peter Wood's A Bee in the Mouth: 'New Anger' traced to those '60s liberals.
Michael Harrington likes the cartoons, but is less impressed by the life: Addams' cartoons fascinating, but not his life .
Katie Haegele is charmed by the language of Un Lun Dun: Young Adult Reader | Clever wordplay energizes this oddball adventure story.
During the past week ...
Rita Giordano was impressed by a moving personal account of autism: Book Review | Unflinching look at autism in the family.
David Walton found Vic Gatrell's City of Laughter more than just fun: Book Review | Drawing on a thirst for celebrity scandals .
Phaedra Trethan found truth and laughter in Ron Geraci's The Bachelor Chronicles: Book Review | A bachelor's witty, touching take on the dating game .
And Desmond Ryan found Stanley Weintraub's 11 Days in December to be not your usual Christmas story: Book Review | Christmas on a bloody battlefield
Well, this is certainly interesting ...
... Polish poets threaten Google's supremacy. (Hat tip, Rus Bowden.)
Saturday, February 17, 2007
Maybe I shouldn't get into this ...
... Who is the greatest living writer of the British Isles? (Hat tip, Maxine Clarke.)
But why not? My own pick would be A.S. Byatt.
But why not? My own pick would be A.S. Byatt.
Well, this is pretty bad ...
... PhD-Dissertations.com. (Hat tip, Dave Lull.)
Andrew Kenneally also brought something like this to my attention the other day after he saw an ad for it on this blog. During my lean years as a freelancer I sometimes copyedited dissertations and I see nothing wrong wih getting editorial help because everyone can use an editor. But this is ghost-writing, for God's sake!
Andrew Kenneally also brought something like this to my attention the other day after he saw an ad for it on this blog. During my lean years as a freelancer I sometimes copyedited dissertations and I see nothing wrong wih getting editorial help because everyone can use an editor. But this is ghost-writing, for God's sake!
The incomparable Florence King ...
... on the Angri-cultural Revolution. (Hat tip, Dave Lull.)
They had discovered that expressing anger was a new way of defining the self—“I’m angry; therefore, I am”—and a lot easier than the old way of sacrifice and delayed pleasures.
Indeed.
Indeed.
For thoughtful conservatives ...
... there is a book sale on at ISI Books. (Hat tip, Dave Lull.)
In the interest of full disclosure, I actually worked for ISI four decades ago (frightening thought - the time, not the job, which was great).
In the interest of full disclosure, I actually worked for ISI four decades ago (frightening thought - the time, not the job, which was great).
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