A Plethora Of Writers In Writing - Part 1
April 16th 2008 01:40
I have written on a previous blog about the fact that I suffer from a condition called amnesia in litteris. Basically I can’t remember anything I’ve read about 24 hours after I have closed a book for the last time.
I do, however, retain impressions. I have a hankering to join a book club in order to force me to remember what I’m reading. But I fear I would be the person trying to blend into the antipasto platter because the only thing I would have to say is, “Catch 22? I loved it! Um... especially the part where…um…where the main character, what’s his name? Um…where he ….um…does that thing. Hey…is this Camembert?”
So I’ve been keeping this blog for a short time and part of my purpose was to log some of the stuff I’m reading. The other part was to bring attention to what I thought was a rather silly preoccupation of mine – the proliferation of writers in writing (see previous post The Rules). I knew I’d noticed writers in writing before (I just couldn’t remember where) but I thought it would probably be ages until I found another one. However, I am discovering writers in writing so often that I have to do today’s post just to clear a backlog (and I’ll probably have to do it in two parts!)
So, let’s see…
Writer Alert 1 -The book which finally prompted me to start this blog was Ian McEwan’s Enduring Love. I’m intrigued by the Ian McEwan legend and think he has a remarkable ability to capture the minutiae of life. I’m also supremely impressed by the way he builds suspense. And while reading many of his books I have had moments of being simply in awe at his use of language. However, I have had a problem with some of his endings - and I haven’t even read On Chesil Beach yet! I had to have a friend explain the Atonement ending because it frustrated me senseless. However, I have not been able to redeem the ending of Enduring Love and I don’t have time to jump on a million websites to have it explained to me. Why did this book have to end with a scientific description of the antagonist’s medical condition? To me it sounded like someone trying to explain the punch line of a joke. It was such a huge let-down, especially after the incredibly original and suspense-filled beginning.
I was reading a borrowed copy of Enduring Love so I don’t have it handy, but what I do remember is that the protagonist was a science graduate who had become a science writer. He maintained a sort of inferiority complex because he was not working in his chosen field but merely reporting on the discoveries of real scientists. The friend who lent me the book said, “It’s like the old adage, ‘Those who can, do, and those who can’t write.’” What? I think the expression is ‘Those who can, do and those who can’t, teach.’ But as both a writing teacher and a writer I was distressed on a variety of levels by her comment – it seems I’m not really ‘doing’ anything. But one thing I did ‘do’ was hurl Enduring Love across the room because I had to endure that stupid ending. If anyone can tell me what I’m not getting here then please do!
Writer Alert 2 – History and politics are two areas in which I often rue my ignorance – I’ve spent too much time in fantasy worlds I fear. But in a recent attempt at remedying this lack I picked up a copy of South African writer and Nobel Prize in literature laureate, Nadine Gordimer’s novel, The Pickup. I’m only a few chapters into this sparely written and intriguing story but on page six I encountered the following, as the protagonist Julie Summers enters her favourite hangout, The L.A. Café:
“[I]There were two of her friends from university days, a journalist out of work who house-sat for absent owners, a couple who painted banners for rallies and pop concerts.”
I don’t know whether this out of work journalist is going to feature any more in the story but it does mean that The Pickup qualifies for The List.
I haven’t cleared my backlog but I think that’s enough for today. Part 2 will see me reveal the writers in Lionel Shriver’s The Post-Birthday World as well as the British Film Death at A Funeral.
Oh, and last night I watched the fabulous Viggo Mortensen in David Cronenberg’s Eastern Promises – it doesn’t qualify for The List but the narrative is powered by the journal writing of a 14 year old girl. I am starting to wonder if writing really is the driving force of the world.
What do you think about the influence and power of writing?
I do, however, retain impressions. I have a hankering to join a book club in order to force me to remember what I’m reading. But I fear I would be the person trying to blend into the antipasto platter because the only thing I would have to say is, “Catch 22? I loved it! Um... especially the part where…um…where the main character, what’s his name? Um…where he ….um…does that thing. Hey…is this Camembert?”
So I’ve been keeping this blog for a short time and part of my purpose was to log some of the stuff I’m reading. The other part was to bring attention to what I thought was a rather silly preoccupation of mine – the proliferation of writers in writing (see previous post The Rules). I knew I’d noticed writers in writing before (I just couldn’t remember where) but I thought it would probably be ages until I found another one. However, I am discovering writers in writing so often that I have to do today’s post just to clear a backlog (and I’ll probably have to do it in two parts!)
So, let’s see…
Writer Alert 1 -The book which finally prompted me to start this blog was Ian McEwan’s Enduring Love. I’m intrigued by the Ian McEwan legend and think he has a remarkable ability to capture the minutiae of life. I’m also supremely impressed by the way he builds suspense. And while reading many of his books I have had moments of being simply in awe at his use of language. However, I have had a problem with some of his endings - and I haven’t even read On Chesil Beach yet! I had to have a friend explain the Atonement ending because it frustrated me senseless. However, I have not been able to redeem the ending of Enduring Love and I don’t have time to jump on a million websites to have it explained to me. Why did this book have to end with a scientific description of the antagonist’s medical condition? To me it sounded like someone trying to explain the punch line of a joke. It was such a huge let-down, especially after the incredibly original and suspense-filled beginning.
I was reading a borrowed copy of Enduring Love so I don’t have it handy, but what I do remember is that the protagonist was a science graduate who had become a science writer. He maintained a sort of inferiority complex because he was not working in his chosen field but merely reporting on the discoveries of real scientists. The friend who lent me the book said, “It’s like the old adage, ‘Those who can, do, and those who can’t write.’” What? I think the expression is ‘Those who can, do and those who can’t, teach.’ But as both a writing teacher and a writer I was distressed on a variety of levels by her comment – it seems I’m not really ‘doing’ anything. But one thing I did ‘do’ was hurl Enduring Love across the room because I had to endure that stupid ending. If anyone can tell me what I’m not getting here then please do!
Writer Alert 2 – History and politics are two areas in which I often rue my ignorance – I’ve spent too much time in fantasy worlds I fear. But in a recent attempt at remedying this lack I picked up a copy of South African writer and Nobel Prize in literature laureate, Nadine Gordimer’s novel, The Pickup. I’m only a few chapters into this sparely written and intriguing story but on page six I encountered the following, as the protagonist Julie Summers enters her favourite hangout, The L.A. Café:
“[I]There were two of her friends from university days, a journalist out of work who house-sat for absent owners, a couple who painted banners for rallies and pop concerts.”
I don’t know whether this out of work journalist is going to feature any more in the story but it does mean that The Pickup qualifies for The List.
I haven’t cleared my backlog but I think that’s enough for today. Part 2 will see me reveal the writers in Lionel Shriver’s The Post-Birthday World as well as the British Film Death at A Funeral.
Oh, and last night I watched the fabulous Viggo Mortensen in David Cronenberg’s Eastern Promises – it doesn’t qualify for The List but the narrative is powered by the journal writing of a 14 year old girl. I am starting to wonder if writing really is the driving force of the world.
What do you think about the influence and power of writing?
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Comment by postmoderncritic
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Comment by Jayne Kearney
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I also did not realise he was the Amish farmer in one of my all time favourite films, Peter Weir's Witness. Good excuse to watch it again I think. Back in the day I had a whole Harrison Ford thing going on, although I'll have to reserve judgement about him until the new Indiana Jones film comes out. I have concerns about the earring he sports of late - and I'm not even sure why!
Thanks again,
Jayne
Comment by Cibbuano
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Comment by Jayne Kearney
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Viggo was great and I also thought Armin Mueller-Stahl was bloody terrific but I just have to say that I could not get into Naomi Watts in this role at all. If you check it out let me know if I'm wrong.
The story was rather interesting - and I don't do mafia well - Russian or otherwise. But strong characters definitely help.
Jayne
Comment by postmoderncritic
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Jayne - Yay, new news from you! I've kind of missed you... I agree about Naomi. She's one of my favourite actors, but she struck me as limp in this role... I just saw her in The Painted Veil and she was back to her usual level of marvellousness, so I don't know what happened in Promises.
You say you don't do mafia well - why is this so?
I prefer to avoid stories about violent subcultures because I believe that the best way to treat such parts of life is to inundate yourself and others with positive messages. Instead of 'telling what is' I want people to tell me 'what should be'.
As such, Promises is not my favourite film, but the focus on the character development (and, I'll admit the homoeroticism!) kept me interested.
If you guys are interested, I posted a few thoughts up on it here (don't read until you've seen the film, though, Cibby).
Hope to read more from you soon, Jayne - I enjoyed your blog so much that I subscribed.
Comment by Jayne Kearney
Writers In Writing (and other writing)
What an incredibly sweet comment. I have scored a couple of (paid ! yippee!) writing jobs that are stealing all my time and I'm struggling to keep up with all the writers in writing! I promise to grab a moment soon and post again.
I just find mafia stuff sort of boring - it's so outside my realm of experience. Although I have watched some great Scorcese efforts over the years, but I just tend to steer clear as a rule.
I love what you have said here,
"I prefer to avoid stories about violent subcultures because I believe that the best way to treat such parts of life is to inundate yourself and others with positive messages. Instead of 'telling what is' I want people to tell me 'what should be'. " Beautiful! And so true.
But did you love Armin Meuller Stahl in Promises though? I didn't hear anyone mention him and I thought he was great.
And, of course a little homoeroticism never goes astray haha!
Thanks for subscribing, I have also subscribed to yours but have been inundated with work of late.
I'll try to keep up!
Cheers,
Jayne
Comment by postmoderncritic
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I tried to watch The Godfather because I knew I would catch a lot of popular culture references I may have otherwise missed, but I couldn't bear it... I don't believe people have any excuse for representing violence, really. There are so many much more important (that is, interesting and enlightening) spectacles to focus on.
I thought Armin Mueller-Stahl was very good, though something about him didn't resonate as 'Russian'. I had the same reaction to Vincent Cassel (Kirill) - I could tell they were both European, but as a person of Eastern European background (my parents are Bulgarian) I wasn't totally convinced by their accents and mannerisms. However, I had a very strong reaction to Armin's character, so I do believe he turned in a great performance. You'll be happy to hear that he has won at least one award for his portrayal of Semyon: the Genie Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role.
Have a great day!
Epiphanie a.k.a. postmoderncritic
Comment by Jayne Kearney
Writers In Writing (and other writing)
Finally, someone else who didn't like The Godfather - you feel you can't admit it to people. I watched something with Sharon Stone once (I don't like her as a rule and was probably dragged to this). It was Scorcese I think and it may have been called Casino - I remember thinking, "Now that wasn't too bad, for a mafia movie". Don't know if I'd still agree.
Glad to hear Armin has won an award, it means I'm not too far off in my judgement. Unfortunately my Anglo background means I don't have the finesse to distinguish between different European origins. How I envy your exotic heritage!
I
Shall check in again soon...you have motivated me to continue, so thanks. Now if I can just wrangle a 25 hour day....
Jayne
Comment by postmoderncritic
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I haven't seen Casino, but gave it a brief look on IMDB.com and will give it a chance if it comes my way... I did enjoy The Departed to a certain extent, despite the homophobic and misogynistic dialogue.
But how can you be far off in your judgement? Your judgement is all you have - if someone else thinks that the performance doesn't appeal to them, that's just their opinion, not an indication of an objective reality (I gave up on the concept of some such a long time ago!). I embrace my perception because it's all I have.
As for being able to differentiate between different Euro origins, well, your background gives you some natural advantages too! Upon discussing this film I realised how rare it was that I could contribute on discussions of culture in such a way - I don't come across a lot of texts that deal with Eastern Europe. So arguably you have the better deal as Anglo texts are more predominant.
That said, I don't really consider anybody 'exotic' because when I come across people very different to me I am usually inspired to learn more about them, and then they cease to be that different... I do, however, joke that the Brits are 'exotic' because they tend to reproduce this language more so than any other culture. I should probably stop doing that as it just reproduces the idea of the Other, huh?
I LOVE your blog, and I think that the high level of writers in writing speaks of the postmodern tendency towards self-consciousness. In non-postmodern texts (and as far as I know I'm the only person who refers to the 'non-postmodern', lol), I think people are interested in the role of the creator, and perhaps see writers as 'enhanced observers'? But who knows, I'm sure every writer has a different reason for including a writer figure!
I don't know if I've mentioned this text before, but If on a winter's night a traveller also features a writer... castly outnumbered by the sheer references to the reader. I highly recommend this text, I think you would enjoy it!
Ciao for now,
Epiphanie
Comment by Jayne Kearney
Writers In Writing (and other writing)
You are so right, I like to avoid perpetuating that idea of The Other if I can help it - not always successfully of course. The world is just a multitude of perspectives.
And I think you are also spot on in identifying this writers in writing thing as having a postmodern sensibility. I'd love to examine the 'non-postmodern' (lol) to see if it occurs with such regularity in those texts.
Thanks for the suggestion of If on a winter's night...It's sounds like it is right up my alley. Shall pursue a copy.
I don't know if you were one of the people who suggested Wonder Boys but I watched it and definitely enjoyed it. A writers in writing heaven.
Stay classy (haha)
Jayne
Comment by postmoderncritic
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Cya later,
Epiphanie