Hello Gentle Reader
With the busyness of the Christmas season come and gone – thankfully; it is about time that life and the rest of the world got back to normal. Last week, I forgot to post a blog, and upon the realization that I had forgotten to post a blog, I went to rectify that mistake, and the computer froze on me, and would not let me do anything. Not the best way to start the New Year, I told myself. However life moves on and forward. With the Christmas season over, and the partying over, and the early mornings for the late nights, done and over with, everyone is back to normal. Which also means “The Short Story Review,” continues on as normal.
It has recently become some common knowledge now that the first fifty years of the archives have been opened up, that the British fantasy writer of the twentieth century was nominated for the Nobel Prize for Literature, far back in nineteen-sixty one. Nominated by his friend and companion in fantasy writing C.S. Lewis (who was a professor of literature, making it possible for him to actually nominate his friend) however J.R.R Tolkien never received the prize for his prose “"has not in any way measured up to storytelling of the highest quality", wrote Anders Österling a jury member. Eventually the actual nineteen-sixty one author had won. Ivo Andrić the nineteen-sixty one Nobel Laureate in Literature had walked away with the prize for: “for the epic force with which he has traced themes and depicted human destinies drawn from the history of his country" – to the readers of Tolkien that appears to be a bit of attack on his great use of fantasy and taking it to the greatest and epic portions that he had done. He did such a good job, that there are numerous authors that follow his same formula. However no matter, Anders Österling and the other members of the Swedish Academy had agreed that J.R.R. Tolkien’s prose just were not up to snuff.
No matter though, Tolkien was not the only author to have been debated. Robert Frost was nominated and eventually died without an award. E.M Forster was also nominated for a prize as well, but again he did not win a prize either. Graham Greene, was also nominated for the prize – he had been favoured along with Vladimir Nabokov, and Saul Bellow who eventually did win the prize; and yet Greene never did win. Karen Blixen the author of the book out of Africa was nominated but did not win.
Considering though, to the authors that have been awarded the prize, Tolkien did not match them. It is true, that he had some interesting ideas, themes, and astounding images, but the prose over all were never up to snuff. It is true that the Swedish Academy has made some snubs before. James Joyce being famously one of them. However, as someone had pointed out on a message board, that Tolkien probably would not all, be all that bothered by the snub. He himself stated that his work would not appeal too many, but that it would appeal to some. In that way it, is if Tolkien had grown a tough enough skin, in order, to bounce off the comments and award snubs. Then again was he ever really a serious contender?
Considering all that authors that have won, throughout the years? Two of which, whose stories are reviewed are on “The Short Story Review.” It comes to no surprise that Tolkien did not win the prize at all, based on the fact that other authors have far greater prose, then he had. That’s just a mere fact. There is no doubt in my mind that Tolkien is a popular author, but so is J.K. Rowling and she won’t win the prize either. Neither will Stephen King or James Patterson or other authors, of great popularity.
Also in the news of literature, The International IMPAC Literary Award has also announced its long list. At the end of this blog there will be a link where you can check out all the nominated long listed authors. All the books nominated for this award have all been published in two thousand and ten. If you go through the long list you will notice many familiar faces, such as Paul Auster and his novel “Sunset Park.” David Mitchell and his novel “The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet.” Paul Murray “Skippy Dies,” among many other authors from around the world. Dacia Maraini from Italy with her novel “Train To Budapest.” Jo Nesbo’s novel “The Snowman,” all the way from Norway. José Luis Peixoto from Portugal with his novel “The Piano Cemetery.” “The Patience Stone,” by the French author Atiq Rahimi. David Grossman the Israeli author novel “To the End of the Land,” has also been nominated.
The short list will be interesting to see who comes up on top. Admittedly there are some authors I do see that are not really that deserving to be on such a place. “Mocking Jay,” a young adult novel by Suzanne Collins, should not have made it there – not when such wonderful authors of such international renown are to be placed there. However may the shortlist show a variety of international authors, of different stories, and perspectives.
It’s good to be back Gentle Reader, and to have a normal routine without the thoughts of running around and shopping – and having to deal with the god awful holiday shoppers.
Thank-you For Reading Gentle Reader
Take Care
And As Always
Stay Well Read
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