Modern Novels Are a Snooze
I was an English major. I love novels. But these days, unless it's a book by Alan Furst -- or Ricochet's own Andrew Klavan -- or some other novelist who writes in what are dismissively called "genres," it's just awfully hard to keep my eyes open.
And I'm not the only one.
In the Daily Telegraph (London), Harry Mount and Michael Deacon have a pretty interesting discussion about What's Wrong with Novels These Days. It comes down to, as I've experienced, boredom:
Roald Dahl described the typical Booker Prize novel as "beautifully boring." A few months ago Daisy Goodwin, who was one of the judges for the Orange prize, made a similar complaint, saying almost all the novels submitted seemed to be soul-draining accounts of loneliness, misery and rape. Whether this is the fault of publishers for publishing such novels, or of chain stores for over-promoting them, or prize judges in general for acclaiming them, or the public for demanding them (if indeed they, or rather we, are), I don't know.
And they also posit this as the cause:
The best writing I can think of from the past decade is TV writing. The Wire,The Office, Mad Men, The Sopranos, The Thick of It (part-improvised I know but I love it so madly I'm going to count it). Let's put it this way. If, these days, you've got a talent for writing stories, why waste it on a increasingly ill-educated reading public that thinks Dan Brown and Stephanie Meyer are the apogee of prose achievement?
As usual, it's TV's fault.
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Jul '10
Re: Modern Novels Are a Snooze
It's the story, the plot, the ability to make me want to turn the page and 'see what happens next.' And I am NOT ill-educated, or a moron, but the Twilight Saga has been an entrancing addition to my life! Now Dan Brown: a truly dreadful historian, crappy theology, I will not go near him. If you're interested in The Crusades, read Riley-Smith. If you need a romance fix, read Elizabeth Chadwick's take on William the Marshal (I've been interested in that person since I read Sidney Painter's study, and then, of course, Duby.)
Some writers are story tellers, and they are rare and marvellous. Some of those story tellers "swing with the prose" and they are ones for the ages. I never understood this 'great prose' thing until I read a book of essays by George Orwell. HIS prose was magic. His political analysis, however, is totally dated, and none of his predictions were fulfilled in real life. But gosh, could he write a magnificent paragraph!
Another great writer is Richard Overy, the historian; and Rebecca West, her pieces written for the New Yorker.
Re: Modern Novels Are a Snooze
Agree totally. Let me take this opportunity to put in a plug for my brother's truly great novel Fieldwork. It is, as Stephen King notes, the opposite of boring.
Jun '10
Re: Modern Novels Are a Snooze
Rob: I'm an avid reader, but have found that most modern literary novels produce nothing but a snooze-fest. Like you, I tend to find that the best novels today are genre fiction. For example, P. D. James' mysteries are superb, thoughtful novels. Before he became nothing but an anti-American ranter, I liked John Le Carre's spy novels. Robert McCarry's American spy novels are terrific (and actually pro-American). Terry Pratchett's fantasy novels set on the Disc-world are the best humorous fiction (he's the new Wodehouse). Vince Flynn's thrillers are thrilling.
Occasionally a green sprout pokes through in the literary fiction world, such as Gilead by Marilynne Robinson. I loved Cold Mountain, though I doubt it's caught on with English departments.
I don't watch a lot of TV, but must agree that some of the best writing right now on TV.
Luckily, we have a huge stock of great books to go back to. I'm in a Dickens phase right now. Everytime I read him, I'm floored at the quality of his writing (which, ironically, was written in installments, just like a TV show.).
Jun '10
Re: Modern Novels Are a Snooze
Totally agree about Orwell. If you want to read crystal clear prose, read his essays. Also agree about Rebecca West--a superb writer. If you've got some time on your hands, read her Black Lamb and Grey Falcon, a very long book on her travels through the Balkans in the 1930s. Beautiful, clear prose--the best travel book ever.
Jun '10
Re: Modern Novels Are a Snooze
Just how many Berlinski's are writing? I read your Dad's book on the new atheists, The Devil's Delusion and your terrific bio of Margaret Thatcher. Now I've got to go get your brother's book?
Re: Modern Novels Are a Snooze
Ditto Gilead by Marilynne Robinson. An English lit professor I got to know at college (Jeffrey Hart) often said that Gilead was a modern masterpiece. He said it would be remembered as a classic a hundred years from now.
I'm a huge fan, too, of Cormac McCarthy. I think his writing is electrifying. The Road, especially.
Re: Modern Novels Are a Snooze
Claire, thanks to you and Mr. King your brother's novel is on its way to my doorstep. I thought about the Kindle edition, but opted for a paperback that I can get sand on at the beach next week.
Ricochet readers, Mischa Berlinski's book is #78,596 on Amazon right now. I've done my part, now you do yours. Let's move some copies of a good book.
Jul '10
Re: Modern Novels Are a Snooze
tabula rasa, thanks for mentioning Terry Pratchett. I have EVERY ONE of his books in my library! Esmeralda Weatherwax is one of the great characters of my time. And then there is Brutha in 'Small Gods'. And Carrot and Vimes. Wonderful.
Yep. Pratchett is a worthy successor to Wodehouse indeed.
May '10
Re: Modern Novels Are a Snooze
My now-US-based daughter (the other one is still an ex-pat), Claire's ten-years-younger twin, just finished reading my copy of Loose Lips. Don't forget that Claire was the first Berlinski novelist, and has more than one in print (but was too ashamed to mention it? ;-)).
Soory to be so much of a prole, but "hard-boiled" mysteries are not snoozers. Robert B. Parker just died, his work will live on- Tom Selleck has been doing film versions for several years and Spenser will be immortal.
Jul '10
Re: Modern Novels Are a Snooze
You should try Vince Flynn. Or Daniel Silva. Both are excellent.
May '10
Re: Modern Novels Are a Snooze
I extend my gratitude to everyone on this post and many others who are expanding and improving my reading list. Going back to Rob's post, however, let's not shortchange the TV writers. For my money, the writers on Frasier were top notch (man, do I ever miss that show). And touching on Claire's post from yesterday about liberal writing that we recommend, I have to confess my admiration for The West Wing (I know, I know - but it was good stuff).
Jun '10
Re: Modern Novels Are a Snooze
Emily Esfahani Smith: Ditto Gilead by Marilynne Robinson. An English lit professor I got to know at college (Jeffrey Hart) often said that Gilead was a modern masterpiece. He said it would be remembered as a classic a hundred years from now.
I'm a huge fan, too, of Cormac McCarthy. I think his writing is electrifying. The Road, especially. · Aug 5 at 12:13pm
Emily: If you liked The Road, read The Pesthouse by the English writer Jim Crace. It too is a dystopian novel (set in America). Not as dark as The Road, but a superb novel.
Re: Modern Novels Are a Snooze
Yes, everyone, you must immediately purchase Mischa Berlinski's Fieldwork, which is a spellbinding story. And the writing is just crazy beautiful. Buy a few copies; give 'em to your friends!
And while you're at it, buy both of Claire's spy novels, Loose Lips and Lioneyes. They are written with Claire's trademark wit and style and are both hilarious. There's a scene in Lioneyes that makes me laugh so hard that I pull the book off the shelf just to read those pages again and again. Seriously, people, check them out. We need to encourage Claire to write more fiction.
I actually agree that some of the best writing being done these days is on television. One of the most amazing novelists out there also happens to be a bigtime TV writer: Richard Price, who wrote for The Wire. Try Lush Life; it's an incredible novel. Read the prologue standing in the bookstore. I promise, you'll be hooked. It's virtuoso stuff.
And I have to plug my beloved Barbara Pym. Excellent Women, folks. Witty, wry, compassionate, human, everything good. It's worth ten National Book Award winners.
Re: Modern Novels Are a Snooze
Matthew, yes! The writing on Frasier was fabulous. (As was the acting.) And I loved The West Wing for all kinds of reasons, including introducing me to Allison Janney, who I am about as close to in love with as a straight woman can be. (Although I'm kind of smitten with Jane Lynch, too. I have a thing for tall, broad-shouldered women, I guess.)
Re: Modern Novels Are a Snooze
Yeah, well, the Corleones had olive oil, the Kennedys had politics ...
Jun '10
Re: Modern Novels Are a Snooze
I still have a few dozen copies of Eye of the Shaman written under my nom de plume, Basil Riverdale. If anyone is interested, I'm willing to give them away just to get some feedback. So, what's the protocol here at Ricochet for exchanging addresses?
Re: Modern Novels Are a Snooze
I would like to salute my friend Judith's impeccable taste as a literary critic, not to mention her impartiality.
Aug '10
Re: Modern Novels Are a Snooze
...some other novelist who writes in what are dismissively called "genres"...
I'm a big Rumpole of the Bailey fan -- a series that the author, John Mortimer, apparently hates to write because it's a genre or "gimmick". But oh, are they wonderful! Light, incredibly entertaining (at least if you're a lawyer's kid), informative, and morally real.
Then I read a book by Mortimer that wasn't part of his Rumpole series -- his memoirs. Big mistake for me. Sticking to a "gimmick" can obviously help curb the self-indulgences that might otherwise ooze out in non-gimmicky writing. (And maybe memoirs are particularly vulnerable.)
Wodehouse and Pratchett are excellent -- why is humor considered second-rate when so few people are good at it? Adams is good, too.
I think the only modern "highbrow" novels I've enjoyed lately were by Umberto Eco -- but I don't think even he takes himself seriously when he writes (or he's really good at hiding it). Or the fact that this kind of writing engages me shows I have an excessively peculiar mind.
May '10
Re: Modern Novels Are a Snooze
As much as I am a fangirl of Rob Long, I just can't agree with you on this one. I just finished "The Help" by Kathryn Stockett. It was NOT a snoozer. It had me laughing out loud and sobbing out loud, and I wasn't on a stage somewhere trying to impress anyone. I would actually try to escape into quiet, alone places so I could let myself really experience the book. That book just grabbed and wouldn't let me go.
Another amazing read was "The Passage" by Justin Cronin. It was one of those books that made me actually think I like poetry (And I don't. I really hate poetry!) because the prose was so beautiful. I just can't wait for the 2 sequels.
heathermc, I'm with you on the Twilight series. The story really sucked me in. No, I don't think the books were the best examples of writing like, say, "The Passage." However, the story was riveting! If you like the Twilight series, I guarantee you will love the Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins. The books suck you in and don't let go!
Jul '10
Re: Modern Novels Are a Snooze
Orwell's prose is the most brilliant, plain, concise of any modern essayist though am disappointed to hear that some consider his political analysis obsolete.
As for modern novelists, what about Kingsley Amis and Ian McEwan? I recommend McEwan's latest, Solar, it is better than most stuff on TV, even considering that TV writing today is of high quality.