Hello
Gentle World
Do
to the current state of the world one is often given the impression they are
living in the twilight hours of the end of the world. Recent articles having
shown just how unsettled and dystopian the world truly is—or perhaps via a
cynics stand point: always has been. The United Nations released a frightening
and eye opening report and testament on climate change, and how splinter close
the world is to entering irreversible climate catastrophic measures. Those who
have not opened up their eyes to the reality the danger poses are worrisome
creatures. Climate change can no longer be denied as hoax or myth or scientifically
unproven—its happening, and unfortunately we all live on this planet, and if it
becomes inhabitable, then we will die alongside it. The current political
climate would be called more divisive then it has been in recent memory. A political
correct totalitarian left has in turn created a populist fueled reactionary
right, which takes fascist rhetoric to authoritarian measures. Politically
speaking, any centre situated politic is now longer available. Everyday somewhere
in this world there is a terrible political beast rising to power. Democracy, liberty,
independence, free speck—pillars of principles—fall to the wayside and are
banished as afterthoughts to the attics of antiquarian values. Just the other
day Brazil elected Jair Bolsonaro—a retired military officer turned politician,
whose campaign style and rhetoric mirrored and shadowed a similar one seen of
others in recent memory. Then of course there is the case of murdered
journalist Jamal Khashoggi, who was killed inside the Saudi Arabian embassy in
Istanbul, Turkey. The act has been speculated to have been condoned and even
ordered by Saudi Arabian crown prince, Mohammad bin Salman. The reaction by
western leaders has been vocal and verbal, but nothing beyond that. Leading one
to question whether or not any action will be taken. Turkeys president, Recep
Tayyip Erdoğan, has been the most vocal critic of the entire situation, going
so far as to demand the eighteen men who are suspected of participating the murder
be extradited, as well as the relinquishment of the Turkish citizen who is suspected
of concealing Khashoggis body. The desert kingdom has so far denied the request
for extradition, failed to provide a reason or excuse for their suspected
behaviour, and has no cooperated with international judicial processes. For
this Turkish President Erdoğan has gone so far as to criticize and theorize the
Saudi Arabian government is protecting the suspects from all judicial inquires
and justice. Looking further east, the political situation in China has become
increasingly frightening, as Xi Jinping has consolidated the most power within
the communist nation since Mao Zedong. Jinping has also aggressively squashed
dissidence, freedom of speech, as well as utilized a new anti-corruption commission
to politically terrorize and detain opponents, such as Interpol’s Chief, Meng
Hongwei; as well as the squashing student protests and magazines in Hong Kong. These
coupled with an aggressive foreign policy which desires expansionism, has
created turbulent and troubling times in the Far East. Then of course there is
the nuclear position of the United States and Russia; not to mention the caprice
exhibited by (North) Korea. Russian President, Vladimir Putin, recently gave scathing
remarks on the unadvisable decision it would be for any foreign power to attempt
or decide to begin a nuclear war with the nation. Then there is the sheer act
of mindless violence, such as the recent mass shooting at a Jewish synagogue in
Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. The sheer act of anti-Semitism is disturbed and
equally disgusting. The political response was of course asinine and revolting.
No place of worship should ever be required to have an armed guard on its
premises, and no politician should ever be so absurd as to make the suggestion,
let alone call it a solution.
The
literary world has been described by some as in equally dire straits. Though,
the literary world is not sitting in the blue waiting room of waning twilight, patient
and watching for the nuclear-green dawn of the of days. The literary world by comparison
is sitting alone by a nearly extinguished fire, in a old and worn leather
armchair which it can’t possibly part with, wrapped in a violet shawl of dusk,
and starring across the room of shadows into the ultramarine and indigo
nothingness of a future which may not exist—or at least not exist, comparable
to the nostalgic silvery twinkle of the receding stars of its past. A casual
internet search will always herald the end; be it: the death of the novel; the obliteration
of poetry—often called stuffy, pretentious and uncommunicative—the dwindling
importance of dramatic writing for the stage, now being replaced for
scriptwriting for film; the abandonment of the short story; and now: the dismal
departure and decline of literary criticism and theory, as a culturally
necessary form and institution, to weigh, direct and influence the literary
tastes of the era.
Back
in two-thousand and nine Kirkus Reviews
shut its doors and ceased to produce any new anonymous reviews. Kirkus Reviews was famous and notorious for
its reviews, which both writers and agents dreaded. For this the anonymous critics
and reviewers for the review were scoffed and scalded at by writers, while also
simultaneously being utilized by publishers when a book received a positive review
and recognition. Then there was the famous literary critic for the New York Times, Michiko Kakutani, who
was revered and feared by both readers and writers. Kakutani was unapologetic,
acerbic, and cared little for how established a writer was, if shew viewed their
work as subpar, she had no issue in stating just that. Michiko Kakutani has
also been known for being instrumental on elevating writers into more prominent
positions which includes: Jonathan Franzen, David Foster Wallace, George
Saunders and Mary Karr. Yet despite boosting their writing careers, some have
still hissed and spat venom at her as well. Such as Jonathan Franzen, who once
famously called her: “the stupidest person in New York City,” when she (perhaps
rightfully) criticised his memoir, “The Discomfort Zone,” as a: “[ . . . ] odious
self-portrait of the artist as a young jackass: petulant, pompous, obsessive,
selfish and overwhelmingly self-absorbed.” In two-thousand and seventeen, Michiko
Kakutani retired from the New York Times
as its chief book critic. Recently she has published her own piece of
non-fiction: “Death of Truth,” where she horrifyingly observes how the populace
has decided to believe in ‘alternative facts,’ and blatant fabrications and
fallacies as fact, by a man who has been elected to an office, and who is
conventionally responsible to be a voice of virtue, morality, ethics, and
obligations for a nation; but instead dismisses and creates divisions for
further unconditional attempts at consolidation of greater power and authority.
Despite not being a literary critic, willing praise and shred by the mood of
the day, Michiko Kakutani has been able to maintain a skeptical mind, a potent
eye, a sturdy hand and a sharp tongue turned pen to criticize and offer a sober
thought on pressing matters. In this case politics—or more precisely the
contemporary dirty business of politics, in an era where facts, logic and
police are a mere afterthought.
As
book sales (which include novels, short stories, and poetry collections) fall
to the wayside in favour of other storytelling mediums: movies, television and
video games—the requirement for a literary critic also falls. Do not be
mistaken though: books are still important, and people still hanker for a
story; though they may not be interested in literary pomp and stylistic
techniques which only exist and serve the purpose to showcase an author’s
powers. Readers still exist, but tolerance for any piece of work which becomes
hermetic or cloistered off is less tolerable, as it cannot engage the reader or
hold their attention. Then there is the select few who hanker for the more
unique, experimental and literary quality oriented pieces of work—such as
myself Gentle Reader, who cannot stand the idea of reading just a common novel
or short story collection. Preference is for something with riveting language,
unique exploration, and a good discussion of a potent theme; story and plot can
always come second. Even then though attention is in demand, and it cannot be
held, the book does not hold up.
If
declining book sales are not the sole reason literary critics are quietly
departing into the rafters, their opinions and their reviews now no longer
needed, then what is the biggest driving force behind the decline of literary
criticism and literary critics? The answer is: popular cultural demand. In
today’s contemporary world, people distrust ‘experts,’—including doctors,
lawyers, and judges and so on. The youth of today and the previous generation
have all be taught they have a tongue, two vocal cords, a brain and reasonable
ability which grants them the ability to speak. This has also been pumped up
with a undescribed dosage of self-esteem and self-confidence. These same
individuals believe that because they have an opinion and a voice and
reasonable abilities that now everyone should be able to hear them or read
them, and be enlightened by their opinions. In today’s world everyone has a
blog, vlog, twitter account—an avenue in which they can express and proclaim
their opinions. These same people are not necessarily experts, rather they
share a passion or an interest, or just enjoy the activity and would just like
to carve out a space for themselves to write their opinions and their reviews,
and they do—and this would also include me. Subsequently these opinions,
perspectives, and reviews are all online and for free. There is no need for a
magazine subscription, and there is no monetary loss. Suddenly people can see
what an average or passionate reader thinks about a piece of work without them
being an expert. The issue moves beyond a popular culture one, where people
prefer or demand or respect the opinions of those they view as equal. Part of
the problem also exists with the literary world’s inability to change and
adjust with the times. Literary criticism in particular failed to scrape out
its own existence for itself, or renew the lease on its old market; publishers
also failed to see the changing times, and are now in a reactionary mode trying
to keep up with the changing climate and culture of the information age. Suddenly
the book market is flooded with a glut of authors, from established, to debut, to
self-published, to be recently translated, and so and so forth. There are few
gatekeepers at the helm to watch over the floodgates, so the work keeps pouring
out and demanding a reader of some sorts; and though they won’t admit: they
also need a critic; someone to analyze and curiously review the work. It’s not
always pretty, it’s not always funny, and it’s not always graceful. Kirkus Reviews may have departed nine
years ago, and Michiko Kakutani may have retired. The torch is not extinguished
and there is hope. It’s just monetarily put in storage.
As
the rest of the world sits and waits whether or not tomorrow: is the day; the literary world immobilized
in its overstuffed, well-worn leather chair, caked in cobwebs and curiously staring
into the inky shadows across the room, it wonders if there is a tomorrow for
itself—a tomorrow like all those tomorrows from before. Only it can make that
decision for itself. With renewed novelists and writers, there most certainly
must be renewed and revised critics willing to play both friend and devil’s advocate.
Someone who is willing to recommend for the shelf; while also ask that a book
be tossed in the waste basket. If anything from the past is to be learned from
critics is they have proven the pen is sharper, more unforgiving, and far more
powerful than any sword or bomb. A few strikes of a pen and the words very well
may outlast both author and critic, and damn a book for an eternity.
Thank-you
For Reading Gentle Reader
Take
Care
And
As Always
Stay
Well Read
M.
Mary
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