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Dec. 14th, 2010 05:22 pmToday is all about the assumptions we make about why certain novels are Important*.
Literary style and number of pages and if Serious Politics with Significant Insights are involved all play a part. What I'm trying to work out is the role the reader plays and how close they need to feel to the novel: what bridges exist to bring readers into the world of the novel, how deep characterisation is, the nature of the world-building - that sort of thing.
I don't think there are any easy answers, but I do think the personality of the writer and how they express it through their writing plays a part. Also, the nature of the first reactions to a novel by the Chattering Classes. So many people will believe something this a work of genius because the writer has the right attitude and the Chattering Classes say so.
The question is, when neither is true, are there any other things I can point to and say "Look, this novel is Important." There is also a difference between being exceptional and being Important.
*except the bit of today that's about Y getting into med school and me jubilating for her and about having lunch with Cat
Literary style and number of pages and if Serious Politics with Significant Insights are involved all play a part. What I'm trying to work out is the role the reader plays and how close they need to feel to the novel: what bridges exist to bring readers into the world of the novel, how deep characterisation is, the nature of the world-building - that sort of thing.
I don't think there are any easy answers, but I do think the personality of the writer and how they express it through their writing plays a part. Also, the nature of the first reactions to a novel by the Chattering Classes. So many people will believe something this a work of genius because the writer has the right attitude and the Chattering Classes say so.
The question is, when neither is true, are there any other things I can point to and say "Look, this novel is Important." There is also a difference between being exceptional and being Important.
*except the bit of today that's about Y getting into med school and me jubilating for her and about having lunch with Cat