I hate to disagree with the man my mother wanted me to marry, but I don't think Saul Bellow will endure--if only because his attitude toward women (both in his books and in his life) will not make him a popular choice in any undergraduate literature course.
In 1960, he told us, 'What will last of Hemingway's work are the short stories and The Sun Also Rises.' Half a century later, I would say he was correct.
My friend and handball partner John Irsfeld was reading these Powell books when we were in grad school long ago. This was before all the books had been published, and I don't know if he read them all. I'll bet he did.
Wonderful piece. I don't agree with Deb that choices in any undergraduate literature course will drive what's ultimately considered either good or lasting. I've read some, but certainly not all of the authors discussed, and in most cases only one or two of their (Dickens, Trollope, James, Faulkner, etc.) works. I should probably be reading Ebert's column every day.
I have to agree that most of the writers in the Ozick quote will not endure. I'm not too bothered by that, although I like some things by some of those writers very much. Not mentioned is Flannery O'Connor who I think will endure with increased appreciation over time.
9 comments:
I hate to disagree with the man my mother wanted me to marry, but I don't think Saul Bellow will endure--if only because his attitude toward women (both in his books and in his life) will not make him a popular choice in any undergraduate literature course.
Fascinating, Bill. I linked to Mr. Ebert's page as well. Thanks.
Thanks for the link, Bill. Extraordinary piece. Ebert just keeps on getting better. A wise and brave soul.
Great piece, Bill.
In 1960, he told us, 'What will last of Hemingway's work are the short stories and The Sun Also Rises.' Half a century later, I would say he was correct.
I'd say it too.
Jeff
I would also recommend A DANCE TO THE MUSIC OF TIME, which I read straight through (12 books) in the mid-1970's and still intend to reread.
Jeff
My friend and handball partner John Irsfeld was reading these Powell books when we were in grad school long ago. This was before all the books had been published, and I don't know if he read them all. I'll bet he did.
Wonderful piece. I don't agree with Deb that choices in any undergraduate literature course will drive what's ultimately considered either good or lasting. I've read some, but certainly not all of the authors discussed, and in most cases only one or two of their (Dickens, Trollope, James, Faulkner, etc.) works. I should probably be reading Ebert's column every day.
I have to agree that most of the writers in the Ozick quote will not endure. I'm not too bothered by that, although I like some things by some of those writers very much.
Not mentioned is Flannery O'Connor who I think will endure with increased appreciation over time.
I knew Ebert loved literature, but this is the first time I learned he spent a year as a Ph.D. student in English before he turned to film criticism.
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