Cultivated literary personas are nothing new. I can't find the article, but I once read how Kurt Vonnegut basically completely remade his personality and appearance to sell his books.
Great piece. A "thin thematic layer" is a great way of putting how oddly empty so much of contemporary literature sometimes seems. It's so frustrating to start a book with a rich premise and then end up on a rigid guided tour of the least interesting parts.
Henry Miller was aura farming on every level – in his work, in his bedroom, in his chaotic personal life – for decades. It made him. He had the artistic energy.
Cultivated literary personas are nothing new. I can't find the article, but I once read how Kurt Vonnegut basically completely remade his personality and appearance to sell his books.
Great piece. A "thin thematic layer" is a great way of putting how oddly empty so much of contemporary literature sometimes seems. It's so frustrating to start a book with a rich premise and then end up on a rigid guided tour of the least interesting parts.
Honestly I had the exact same thought when I read transcendent Kingdom: engaging and well written... But where's the beef?
100%. Very well written on a chapter-by-chapter level, but almost no big questions get answered.
My preferred translation would be 去中心化虛構作品. 小说 isn't so wrong but reads more like novel than fiction.
Thanks!
Fully in agreement.
Mishima had so much sauce that most of us don't even remember his actual name. I had to google it again to make sure I hadn't forgotten it just now
Henry Miller was aura farming on every level – in his work, in his bedroom, in his chaotic personal life – for decades. It made him. He had the artistic energy.
Congratulations on more publishing success. I like First Things. But I let my subscription lapse. But I will definitely read your article.
This was a great read - thank you for writing it :-)
I hate self-promotion. I cringe at it. I don't want to "manage my brand."
That's probably why my writing has gotten zero attention. ^_^
Ah, well. I'll keep on truckin'. I do enjoy engaging with stuggling artists on Substack.
Glad I'm not the only one who feels like Yaa Gyasi has moments where she could write something very captivating, but never leans fully into it