tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6153845628469776909.post8408881652323688590..comments2024-03-24T09:13:28.758+00:00Comments on The Plashing Vole: Welcome to the Literary New BoringThe Plashing Volehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13021407602157515927noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6153845628469776909.post-83830955556493775722012-02-28T23:09:19.740+00:002012-02-28T23:09:19.740+00:00I've been searching for weeks for new writers ...I've been searching for weeks for new writers to try and you're so right about the death of 'literary fiction'. Once upon a time it was a useful sweeping generalisation that would reduce your chances of purchasing total crap, now the reverse is true. However, I'm also deeply uncomfortable about venturing into fantasy or sci-fi as it's full of people who think Star Trek is better than Star Wars. (And yes Vole I'm aware that we share irreconcilable views on this. You're wrong, obviously.) I'm going to give Dan Vyleta a whirl - read any? Any other recommendations much appreciated.Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6153845628469776909.post-39201949548005960822012-02-27T10:17:29.682+00:002012-02-27T10:17:29.682+00:00I really like Kate Atkinson. Got the Spufford book...I really like Kate Atkinson. Got the Spufford book, not read it yet. Will Self's a huge favourite. <br /><br />Rustichello: yes, literary fiction seems to have lost a) joie de vivre and b) a purpose. It doesn't seem very literary any more, and seems to have a more and more narrow focus and readership.The Plashing Volehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13021407602157515927noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6153845628469776909.post-17741411469841226642012-02-27T03:08:42.144+00:002012-02-27T03:08:42.144+00:00seems to me that literary fiction is no longer int...seems to me that literary fiction is no longer interested in saying the things we shouldn't say, nor in the things that make us afraid. rather the whole show is obsessed with the experience of being afraid and what that experience might mean (will self, mostly, excepted)Rustichellohttp://rustichello.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6153845628469776909.post-47478922770959925232012-02-25T17:28:22.491+00:002012-02-25T17:28:22.491+00:00Agree. Agree agree agree.Agree. Agree agree agree.ednoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6153845628469776909.post-7557294026674079432012-02-24T21:44:11.922+00:002012-02-24T21:44:11.922+00:00I'm with you most of the way here. There is a ...I'm with you most of the way here. There is a reason why so many well-read people are turning to Young Adult or 'cross-over' novels, particularly of the fantasy kind: things go on in them that you want to read about. Dare I say they have a story (pace Philip Pullman)? BTW, if you haven't yet, try Francis Spufford, The Child that Books Built.GMSnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6153845628469776909.post-65514516218672460982012-02-24T18:17:56.280+00:002012-02-24T18:17:56.280+00:00Ironically, I thought the very same thing the othe...Ironically, I thought the very same thing the other day when my departing flatmate left me a copy of Angela Carter's 'The Bloody Chamber'. Why can't literature always be as compelling & provoking? Also on my coffee table-Larkin's ;Collected Poems' which has inspired me to write my own also the Jackson Brodie novels by Kate Atkinson has led me to write a crime novel... rumours of JK Rowling writing one seem promising...Benjamin.https://www.blogger.com/profile/10774684061156727388noreply@blogger.com