4 ms·
The identification of the quote is appreciated. The condescending dismissal of a) (almost) all of American writing as being unworthy, and b) all Americans as b
by danaris 4y ago
The identification of the quote is appreciated.
The condescending dismissal of a) (almost) all of American writing as being unworthy, and b) all Americans as being clueless drones parroting the same few works is deeply unappreciated.
Yes, there are Americans who would look down their noses at you for not instantly recognizing a quote from Moby Dick, or, say, The Grapes of Wrath. They are representative of a particular category of literature snobs, not Americans in general, thank you very much.
- olddustytrail 4y agoYou're absolutely right of course. I was having a mild dig at the snobs: don't take it too seriously. My apologies for any offense. If it's any consolation, I've found better literary recommendations on random HN threads than in any mainstream reviews. I know Iain Banks had similar views.
- version_five 4y agoI'm not an American literature expert. Just in case it helps, read Dashiell Hammet and Raymomd Chandler. They have some big similarities (differences too), and both are, at least for me, examples of solid american writing, the skill of which is made manifest through its simplicity. Chandler, I'm told, was a big influence on Hiruki Murukami (not American, though I think he here now, but another favorite). The whole idea that the novel is about the journey and not the plot. Chandler is also an inspiration for the Big Lebowski.