On reading Jonathan Franzen's new fiction: "I read that big Ben Marcus takedown of him in a back issue of Harper's and I remember reading that takedown excitedly and being like, 'Fuck yeah, Ben Marcus, you tell that douchebag!' because I went to Florida State and that's how we expressed ourselves, I think I might've smashed a can of Natty against my forehead afterwards just for good measure."
Friday, June 5, 2009
7
I love Franzen's nonfiction, even if reading it makes me realize that I hate Johnathan Franzen the person.
Florida State???
Anybody who can work I’m A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here into a piece about Gass, Franzen and Volvos is someone I can read.
The weird thing is that he admits to confusing Gaddis and Gass, then proceeds to do it again, talking about all the Gass books he checked out of the library, though Franzen wrote about Gaddis.
After that first sentence, I realize I'm now just talking to myself, so I can add that I sort of agree with Franzen's opinion of Gaddis and disagree with the blogger's opinion of Gass - "In the Heart of the Heart of the Country" is not only a brilliant title, every damn story in the book is excellent.
And The New Yorker (where F's piece appeared) with Harper's. But I assumed he was doing it on purpose. I'm so naive.
If Franzen spent more time back-checking, Detroit would be up 3-1 in the Stanley Cup Finals heading back to Joe Louis Arena.
Balk/Sicha
1) When you put quotes around something, spell out the author in question.
2) The use of the four letter expletives casually reveals a paucity of thought and is off-putting,
3) The everyday shop talk between men (and women now) often is laced with expletives, but should not cast in the blog. Unlike paper, blogs and other internet writings seem to remain forever. They sully your professional status and will haunt you in the days to come.
4) Cursing is an art, use it to good effect and you will be rewarded.