The Ins & Outs

Hello Gentle Reader

The literary world; in the loosest sense of the term; does have similar characteristics to the fashion world. They both have their trends, and their seasonal ins; which eventually fall into the outs, of a succeeding seasonal in, only to become in once more years later. Recently the literary trends, of what is a hot publishing item, have become more noticeable over the decades, for trend watchers, to view what is a literary hot cake; and what is not. Who could forget J.K. Rowling and her “Harry Potter,” series of fantasy novels, about the boy wizard, and his fabulous adventures in the magical school of Hogwarts? The series later, revamped and changed the concept of Young Adult fiction, making Young Adult fiction, a new form of children’s literature, aimed at young adult audiences. Spawning from the “Harry Potter,” series of book came the film series; and soon books to film became a more sophisticated and eloquent affair (as films began to create a balance between action and glitzy glamour of special effects, as well as compelling storyline), that just happened to be monetarily prosperous as well. Then again such is the peculiar pecuniary of the world of ‘art,’ (again in the loosest of terms). From the success of the “Harry Potter,” franchise came; other subsequent novels and series that attempted to duplicate, and cash in on the success. Such as the “Twilight Saga,” this was a miserable failure, of a teenage angst love story, with a heavy mixture of vampires and werewolves; and other such concepts of love versus sexual gratification. However, the book to film franchise did not stop; as “Fifty Shades of Grey,” soon followed after “Twilight,” and is also a miserable failure; with its sexual fantasies and sadomasochistic erotica blend.

However other novel series like: “A Song of Fire and Ice,” which is what the television series “Game of Thrones,” is based on, has become incredibly successful; but has also shown a peculiar proclivity as of late; to another growing tend within the publishing industry: The Mega Novel. “The Luminaries,” by Eleanor Catton became the longest novel to win the Man Booker Prize at a stunning and off-putting eight-hundred and thirty-two pages long. Other such novels, like Donna Tarth’s “The Goldfinch,” have taken similar literary prizes, and have equally as long pages; “The Goldfinch,” is eight-hundred and eighty one pages long. Yet the mega novel craze has yet not stopped: “Death and Mr. Pickwick,” by Stephen Jarvis, is at a startling eight-hundred and sixteen pages long, and has already been speculated as a Booker Prize contender for two-thousand and fifteen. Jonathan Franzem’s new multi-generational American family novel, “Purity,” is at a smaller page count of five-hundred and seventy-six pages long. The last mega novel(s), that I can distinctly remember reading, and being exhausted from, was/were Doris Lessing’s “The Golden Notebook,” a feminist brick on its own, discussing gender gaps and politics; and Mark Z Danielewski’s “House of Leaves,” a horror story like novel, about a house is larger on the inside then it is on the outside; both of which were outstanding works in their own right. Even now I am working my way through Mircea Cărtărescu’s novel “Blinding,” and despite enjoying the novel, and its supple and delightful prose and language, at four-hundred and sixty-four pages long, I am still finding myself exhausted, and dragging my leaden feet towards an ending. It seems to me, that a author like Patrick Modiano or Herta Müller are able to capture more in their much more manageable and digestible books, then authors who are hell bound on writing these mega novels. I suppose I prefer poetic brevity and gentle lyricism, then verbose over wrought pieces of fiction. Whatever happened to the idea that less is more?

Yet this season, has taken another change of direction. This year’s literary scene is split between the mega-novel; which has its supporters and detractors; as well as nature writing, which has also begun to be treated with similar suspicion now. I enjoy the idea that nature writing is in (at least for now), though it should be appreciated for what it is intended for: the writing about the beauty of nature, and our own place within it, as well as the appreciation of it; it is in fact a act of observing the natural world, appreciating it, and translating the language of the natural world into text, and an engaging book. What has become a peculiar problem is the iterations of others. The books should not be about, the personal self-discovery with a good dash of nature and writing about the beauty of nature. Nature writing, in today’s world should not be coercing anyone into buying a farm, and begin farming and using the book, as a manual on how to farm, and discover one’s self. Rather the book, should take one away from the fast paced, material monetary world in which we find ourselves in, and to relax and think about the subtle beauty that truly is out there, in which we can enjoy. Then again I am a sucker for a writer, who can evoke a landscape with such tender lyricism – though not eight hundred (or even five hundred) pages of it!

It were to appear, that the literary world has moved away from the erotic fantasies of whips, chains, leather, and ball gags; and has found itself compelled to humor writers with their dreams of writing mega novels (when harsh editing is strongly advised if not required) to the simple pleasures of enjoying nature. To sum it up nicely: one should become a nemophilist, and stroll through the woods, and use a mega novel as implement to spank their significant in other – eroticism mixed with nature, in the form of a giant overwritten novel.

Thank-you For Reading Gentle Reader
Take Care
And As Always
Stay Well Read
*And Remember: Downloading Books Illegally is Thievery and Wrong.*

M. Mary