Wednesday, January 17, 2007

Show Us a Few Wrinkles

Here's a thought from the Bitch (not that she hasn't had it before):

Say we accept Zadie Smith's contention that writing is forged from an author's personality, and that therefore the greater the personality the greater the novel. And say we accept that, while clearly some fifty-year-olds are idiots and some fifteen-year-olds geniuses, on the whole, in general, skills and personality are enriched by experience.

What then are the implications for the future of our literature in a culture powered by worship of the Next New Thing?

4 comments:

Ms Baroque said...

We're seeing it. But don't worry: the obsession with the Next New Thing will change, move on, something will happen. Nothing ever stays the same.

Pants said...

A quick look at the best seller list any given week reveals that book buyers seem to prefer The Same Old Thing to the Next New Thing so no sweat. Publishers may want the kudos of discovering a major talent but its the Joanna Trollopes that keep them in Krug. Congrats on the Guardian mensh.

Elizabeth Baines said...

Mm, an interesting paradox...

Thanks, btw

Steerforth said...

I wish I can remember the quote properly, but a famous Eliabethan commented that the English were better at observing the rising sun than the setting one.

Plus ca change..?