Author News
15 Significant Contemporary Women Writers
Blake’s recent post on Towering Literary Figures inspired me to consider a list of significant contemporary (living) women writers. By significant I mean significant to me: women writers who I admire and who I feel have significantly contributed to the advancement of literature.
Perhaps someone else on the Giant staff will take up this theme and focus on writers of color, or GLBT writers, or writers from Australia, or writers with children, or writers still living with their mothers, or etc.
For the record, I understand that what I am doing here is, to a degree, essentialist: by labeling a writer based on their gender I am furthering a world in which these distinctions exist. Furthermore, I completely sympathize with the position that argues that we should not see color or sex or race or whatever, that we should instead see only writers.
But, alas, differences exist.
So, with my disclaimer now fully realized, I give you my list of contemporary women writers that I think kick a lot of ass –(in black&white and in no particular order):
Tags: Anne Carson, women writers
anne fucking carson. amen.
anne fucking carson. amen.
Nice list. I’d probably add Claudia Rankine and maybe…… Yoko Tawada.
Nice list. I’d probably add Claudia Rankine and maybe…… Yoko Tawada.
lydia davis and lorrie moore i would add
lydia davis and lorrie moore i would add
let begin the list of those ‘you didnt think of’
agoogoogoo
let begin the list of those ‘you didnt think of’
agoogoogoo
you white devil
you white devil
jeanette winterson. yes yes yes.
i second lorrie moore. i think mary gaitskill is pretty dope too.
jeanette winterson. yes yes yes.
i second lorrie moore. i think mary gaitskill is pretty dope too.
Alice Notley
Alice Notley
Oh goddamn it! You promised not to use our pet names for each other on the internet, Misogynator.
Oh goddamn it! You promised not to use our pet names for each other on the internet, Misogynator.
Joyelle Mcsweeney ftw
mwah
Joyelle Mcsweeney ftw
mwah
ha, yeah, it sucks to hear about other, potentially good writers.
ha, yeah, it sucks to hear about other, potentially good writers.
Good call.
Good call.
naw, naw, i’m just goofin
naw, naw, i’m just goofin
claire davis
ellen bass
dorianne laux
amy fusselman
aimee bender
ruth stone
zadie smith
jco
thisbe nissen
aforementioned in my 15 favs:
bonnie jo campbell
elizabeth ellen
mary miller
claire davis
ellen bass
dorianne laux
amy fusselman
aimee bender
ruth stone
zadie smith
jco
thisbe nissen
aforementioned in my 15 favs:
bonnie jo campbell
elizabeth ellen
mary miller
I know I’m going to ruffle some tail feathers here, but I can’t get with Lorrie Moore. I saw Jonathan Lethem’s recent review of her new book in the NYTimes, in which he begins by saying everybody he knows loves Lorrie Moore except for one person and that person is apologetic about it. Then he proceeds to say something like “how can you not love a writer who brings you a story about a baby with cancer” —
Seriously!?
I’m sorry. I just can’t get with Lorrie Moore.
I know I’m going to ruffle some tail feathers here, but I can’t get with Lorrie Moore. I saw Jonathan Lethem’s recent review of her new book in the NYTimes, in which he begins by saying everybody he knows loves Lorrie Moore except for one person and that person is apologetic about it. Then he proceeds to say something like “how can you not love a writer who brings you a story about a baby with cancer” —
Seriously!?
I’m sorry. I just can’t get with Lorrie Moore.
I like Zadie Smith’s books for their insight, humour, scope and unsentimental cultural empathy. Also, she has a unique talent for making her characters absolutely believable, no matter how unbelievable they actually are.
I like Zadie Smith’s books for their insight, humour, scope and unsentimental cultural empathy. Also, she has a unique talent for making her characters absolutely believable, no matter how unbelievable they actually are.
I know, but I say bring it. I’ve been meaning to read Ducornet for a while, for example.
I know, but I say bring it. I’ve been meaning to read Ducornet for a while, for example.
you know i love you matt.
and ducornet slays. hard.
you know i love you matt.
and ducornet slays. hard.
Susan Howe
Susan Howe
lorrie moore doesn’t feel like serious literature, which is what i think readers really respond to — stories for the sake of their characters, not the author/language, though her language is beautiful. the stories make fun of themselves, yet are really moving and touching. the stories actually bring me to tears, like real droplets that fall on the book in exclamation point sauce, seriously. no writer can do that.
lorrie moore doesn’t feel like serious literature, which is what i think readers really respond to — stories for the sake of their characters, not the author/language, though her language is beautiful. the stories make fun of themselves, yet are really moving and touching. the stories actually bring me to tears, like real droplets that fall on the book in exclamation point sauce, seriously. no writer can do that.
Joan Didion
Toni Morrison
Susan Howe
Gayl Jones
Lydia Davis
Joan Didion
Toni Morrison
Susan Howe
Gayl Jones
Lydia Davis
i like margaret atwood. her books smell like pine needles.
i like margaret atwood. her books smell like pine needles.
when caren beilin has a collection, if she ever has a collection, i think it will be really great. i also like zadie smith.
when caren beilin has a collection, if she ever has a collection, i think it will be really great. i also like zadie smith.
i still think didion should be “towering” not “significant”
kathy acker
i still think didion should be “towering” not “significant”
kathy acker
lethem’s review was pretty terrible.
lethem’s review was pretty terrible.
christine schutt.
christine schutt.
christine schutt.
though i can’t vouch for the last jawn, florida and both collections are monsters.
christine schutt.
christine schutt.
christine schutt.
though i can’t vouch for the last jawn, florida and both collections are monsters.
amen.
amen.
Charolette Roche. Amy Gerstler.
Charolette Roche. Amy Gerstler.
I can’t think today. It’s Charlotte Roche.
I can’t think today. It’s Charlotte Roche.
Moore’s amazing, horrific, meta-realist story about the baby with blood in its diaper is really similar in structure/approach and predates the previously HTMLGiant-lauded story (“Demonology”) by Moody about his sister’s death. It’s called “People Like That Are The Only People Here” – read it (again) and reconsider.
Moore’s amazing, horrific, meta-realist story about the baby with blood in its diaper is really similar in structure/approach and predates the previously HTMLGiant-lauded story (“Demonology”) by Moody about his sister’s death. It’s called “People Like That Are The Only People Here” – read it (again) and reconsider.
12 years gone . . .
12 years gone . . .
All of these new (to me) names! Can’t wait to read! :)
All of these new (to me) names! Can’t wait to read! :)
Leni Zumas?
Or do these people have to have “towering” characteristics?
She only has one collection out but “Farewell Navigator” really stands out amongst books I’ve read in the last year or 2.
Leni Zumas?
Or do these people have to have “towering” characteristics?
She only has one collection out but “Farewell Navigator” really stands out amongst books I’ve read in the last year or 2.
Jorie Graham is like plain white bread with no butter or jam.
Jorie Graham is like plain white bread with no butter or jam.
big ups on christine brooke-rose. does your list implicate “living”? b/c I think Kathy Acker deserves to be on any list that mentions contemporary lit alone, especially “women” in contemporary lit.
big ups on christine brooke-rose. does your list implicate “living”? b/c I think Kathy Acker deserves to be on any list that mentions contemporary lit alone, especially “women” in contemporary lit.
Joy Harjo, Mary Ruffle, Eileen Myles?
Jenny Boully is very good and has an amazing couple of books. Putting her in the same group as Carson, Graham and Mullen… I don’t know about that.
Joy Harjo, Mary Ruffle, Eileen Myles?
Jenny Boully is very good and has an amazing couple of books. Putting her in the same group as Carson, Graham and Mullen… I don’t know about that.
I think you have to put Laura Hird on there. Born Free was an amazing novel, and Hope was a really tough and well written collection of shorts. On top of that she does a lot of good stuff nurturing up and coming talent via her site.
And I’m with Christopher Higgs about Lorrie Moore. I really hate all of that twee stuff.
And since Kathy Acker got a posthumous shout out, I’m gonna shout out Anna Kavan, who is more of a ‘sadly neglected and under appreciated dead women writer’ but she never gets props so I had to do it.
I think you have to put Laura Hird on there. Born Free was an amazing novel, and Hope was a really tough and well written collection of shorts. On top of that she does a lot of good stuff nurturing up and coming talent via her site.
And I’m with Christopher Higgs about Lorrie Moore. I really hate all of that twee stuff.
And since Kathy Acker got a posthumous shout out, I’m gonna shout out Anna Kavan, who is more of a ‘sadly neglected and under appreciated dead women writer’ but she never gets props so I had to do it.
I’m glad Kelly Link is in there.
Amelie Nothomb.
I used to love Jeanette Winterson. When I first read her years back, her circular narratives and particular brand of magic realism were like a revelation.
I think she wrote some absolutely stunning books …. but then I feel like she started just recycling her ideas. So I love certain novels of hers, but think the last few of hers let her down. It’s like she’s incredibly gifted with language but after a while she seemed to stop bothering with plot. I’m never sure if she ran out of ideas, or just sort of had her winning formula perfected, and was selling so well she just stopped bothering.
She sometimes gets associated with Angela Carter (and she cites her as an influence.) I find Carter stronger, overall. Darker too, which I like.
Toni Morrison.
Alice Walker.
I like Atwood.
And I do like Miranda July. (Hers, Amelie Nothomb’s, and Kelly Link’s writing all seem to inhabit the same sort of universe.) But … that’s on dint of loving just the one collection. And um. Me, You And Everyone We Know. So maybe not.
Oh. And Arundhati Roy. But again, just for the one thing.
I’m glad Kelly Link is in there.
Amelie Nothomb.
I used to love Jeanette Winterson. When I first read her years back, her circular narratives and particular brand of magic realism were like a revelation.
I think she wrote some absolutely stunning books …. but then I feel like she started just recycling her ideas. So I love certain novels of hers, but think the last few of hers let her down. It’s like she’s incredibly gifted with language but after a while she seemed to stop bothering with plot. I’m never sure if she ran out of ideas, or just sort of had her winning formula perfected, and was selling so well she just stopped bothering.
She sometimes gets associated with Angela Carter (and she cites her as an influence.) I find Carter stronger, overall. Darker too, which I like.
Toni Morrison.
Alice Walker.
I like Atwood.
And I do like Miranda July. (Hers, Amelie Nothomb’s, and Kelly Link’s writing all seem to inhabit the same sort of universe.) But … that’s on dint of loving just the one collection. And um. Me, You And Everyone We Know. So maybe not.
Oh. And Arundhati Roy. But again, just for the one thing.
throughout all these towering conversations i’ve had a tough time thinking of somebody who actually towers, but i think gayl jones fucking towers.
throughout all these towering conversations i’ve had a tough time thinking of somebody who actually towers, but i think gayl jones fucking towers.
definitely second christine schutt and amelia notham.
surprised not to see a.m homes mentioned. so i’ll mention her.
am also a big fan of ellen gilchrist.
joyce carol oates is also notably missing … i’ have a feeling i’ll be labelled totally uncool for mentioning her but i think some of her stuff is pretty great.
didion is overrated.
definitely second christine schutt and amelia notham.
surprised not to see a.m homes mentioned. so i’ll mention her.
am also a big fan of ellen gilchrist.
joyce carol oates is also notably missing … i’ have a feeling i’ll be labelled totally uncool for mentioning her but i think some of her stuff is pretty great.
didion is overrated.
I mentioned Eileen Myles under Blake’s list. And Mary Gaitskill.
Here I would add Amanda Filipacchi, a favorite of mine.
I mentioned Eileen Myles under Blake’s list. And Mary Gaitskill.
Here I would add Amanda Filipacchi, a favorite of mine.
i had jco on mine, i just shortened her name :)
i agree about didion
and i considered putting homes on my list, but i didn’t feel like i’d read enough of her work (one novel and a smattering of stories)
i had jco on mine, i just shortened her name :)
i agree about didion
and i considered putting homes on my list, but i didn’t feel like i’d read enough of her work (one novel and a smattering of stories)
yep, a giant. for me only garcia marquez and vollmann are comparably towering, among living writers.
yep, a giant. for me only garcia marquez and vollmann are comparably towering, among living writers.
“how to talk to a jewish hunter” is also fantastic.
“how to talk to a jewish hunter” is also fantastic.
i think didion is a class above joyce carol oates and atwood because she still writes for the sake of a sentence rather than the nice little “industry” she’s built for herself. she bleeds. atwood and jco smile. i’d call didion a “writer” and atwood and jco “successful authors.”
i think didion is a class above joyce carol oates and atwood because she still writes for the sake of a sentence rather than the nice little “industry” she’s built for herself. she bleeds. atwood and jco smile. i’d call didion a “writer” and atwood and jco “successful authors.”
oops. sorry for not noticing the jco reference. i just like to call her joyce carol. I have wondered on more than one occasion (again with the uncoolness) if she makes people call her joyce carol.
a.m. homes most recent novel (this book will save your life) was underwhelming but i highly recommend safety of objects and music for torching, and pretty much everything else she’s written.
not a popular view, since it was about her husband’s death and her daugher’s serious illness, but didion’s recent memoir was self-conscious and self-indulgent. i disliked it so much that it pretty much cancelled my previous opinion of her (though i had only read play it as it lays a hundred years ago and liked it.)
what about doris lessing?
oops. sorry for not noticing the jco reference. i just like to call her joyce carol. I have wondered on more than one occasion (again with the uncoolness) if she makes people call her joyce carol.
a.m. homes most recent novel (this book will save your life) was underwhelming but i highly recommend safety of objects and music for torching, and pretty much everything else she’s written.
not a popular view, since it was about her husband’s death and her daugher’s serious illness, but didion’s recent memoir was self-conscious and self-indulgent. i disliked it so much that it pretty much cancelled my previous opinion of her (though i had only read play it as it lays a hundred years ago and liked it.)
what about doris lessing?
Filipacchi is great.
Michelle Tea is also going to be legendary in due time.
Miriam Toews is also unstoppable.
Filipacchi is great.
Michelle Tea is also going to be legendary in due time.
Miriam Toews is also unstoppable.
i’m not going to call her a ‘towering’ author (actually i wouldn’t call half the authors i cited that. i just like them, is all.) but i actually think isabel allende is pretty strong, in her way.
the thing that stops me really full-on loving her writing is it’s basically pretty ‘nice.’ she likes happy endings. she’ll write about south american atrocities of the last few decades but she doesn’t go too deep under the surface, and she doesn’t seem to want to shock us too much. maybe it’s a mass appeal thing. maybe it’s more comfortable for her – i don’t know.
if there was less of that romance feeling underlying her stuff, i think she could be really strident.
(not that she’s not really talented. i just think she imposes limits on where she’ll go.)
i’m not going to call her a ‘towering’ author (actually i wouldn’t call half the authors i cited that. i just like them, is all.) but i actually think isabel allende is pretty strong, in her way.
the thing that stops me really full-on loving her writing is it’s basically pretty ‘nice.’ she likes happy endings. she’ll write about south american atrocities of the last few decades but she doesn’t go too deep under the surface, and she doesn’t seem to want to shock us too much. maybe it’s a mass appeal thing. maybe it’s more comfortable for her – i don’t know.
if there was less of that romance feeling underlying her stuff, i think she could be really strident.
(not that she’s not really talented. i just think she imposes limits on where she’ll go.)
i think it would be great if she made people call her JC. what up, JC?
i read The End of Alice, which i enjoyed, but when i think of her i am haunted and riveted by a story i read in Mcsweeneys about a woman stalking teenage couples and trying to inseminate herself. Brilliant.
i haven’t read any new didion in a long time, i just was over her after all the shit i had to read as an undergrad.
i haven’t read any lessing…
i think it would be great if she made people call her JC. what up, JC?
i read The End of Alice, which i enjoyed, but when i think of her i am haunted and riveted by a story i read in Mcsweeneys about a woman stalking teenage couples and trying to inseminate herself. Brilliant.
i haven’t read any new didion in a long time, i just was over her after all the shit i had to read as an undergrad.
i haven’t read any lessing…
i liked the fifth child, though it’s a long time since i read it. i always presumed lessing was a trailblazer at a given time.
i think i saw her read a few years back, and somehow she’s just failed to make much impression on me, which is weird.
i liked the fifth child, though it’s a long time since i read it. i always presumed lessing was a trailblazer at a given time.
i think i saw her read a few years back, and somehow she’s just failed to make much impression on me, which is weird.
Are we taking the female authors Blake named in his post as a given? Because I’d take Hempel and Diane Williams over most of the people named here.
Are we taking the female authors Blake named in his post as a given? Because I’d take Hempel and Diane Williams over most of the people named here.
ryan — i am haunted by that same story. brilliant is the right word for it. and stunning. i have a terrible memory and that’s one that has stuck with me.
i still like thinking jco makes people call her joyce carol. i’ve heard she is a major bitch at readings when asked questions. i hope to question her one day.
roberta — i liked the fifth child and ben in the world, though lessing has written some stuff i’ve not responded, too. just curious what people thought.
ryan — i am haunted by that same story. brilliant is the right word for it. and stunning. i have a terrible memory and that’s one that has stuck with me.
i still like thinking jco makes people call her joyce carol. i’ve heard she is a major bitch at readings when asked questions. i hope to question her one day.
roberta — i liked the fifth child and ben in the world, though lessing has written some stuff i’ve not responded, too. just curious what people thought.
Yeah, I wanted to limit myself to living. If not, you would be absolutely right: Kathy Acker kills it.
Yeah, I wanted to limit myself to living. If not, you would be absolutely right: Kathy Acker kills it.
Right on, Adam. I teetered on whether or not to include Susan Howe, but I’m not as familiar with her work as i am with others on this list. My wife is really into her. Of what I’ve read, Howe is amazing.
Right on, Adam. I teetered on whether or not to include Susan Howe, but I’m not as familiar with her work as i am with others on this list. My wife is really into her. Of what I’ve read, Howe is amazing.
Dude, I implore you to relook at The End of Beauty and revise your sentiment.
Dude, I implore you to relook at The End of Beauty and revise your sentiment.
Anna Kavan, YES! So many good dead women writers. I’m unfamiliar with Laura Hird, will have to seek her out.
Anna Kavan, YES! So many good dead women writers. I’m unfamiliar with Laura Hird, will have to seek her out.
Roberta, I had never thought of Kelly Link & Miranda July as inhabiting the same sort of universe…would love to hear more about that idea.
Roberta, I had never thought of Kelly Link & Miranda July as inhabiting the same sort of universe…would love to hear more about that idea.
i have insomnia so excuse any sleep-deprived babble.
the reason i think their writing sits together, somehow is to do with the nod they both give to fairytale tradition, i think. obv. with kelly link it’s pretty overt. there’s the same sense of magic put in this very contemporary context. maybe it’s to do with the very subtly distorted worlds they give us? i don’t know. link does it in noticeably magic realist ways. i think miranda july more gives us feelings, ideas we can recognise that seem to come more recognisably from reality, but the feeling they leave us with is similar.
plus they both feel faintly dream-like. (there’s that awesome kelly link story about a tv show called ‘the library’ which just feels like a familiar dream. same kind of feeling neil gaiman creates.)
i’d put ms. nothomb into that universe too.
i don’t mean that each of them aren’t stand-alones.
it’s just something about adult writers who can keep that sense of childlike wonder (which has a lot to do with fairytale roots, i think) alive, but chuck it into an adult context, and make sure it isn’t cloying. humour prob plays a big part in it too.
i’d throw dan rhodes into that too, though he fails on the whole being female thing.
i have insomnia so excuse any sleep-deprived babble.
the reason i think their writing sits together, somehow is to do with the nod they both give to fairytale tradition, i think. obv. with kelly link it’s pretty overt. there’s the same sense of magic put in this very contemporary context. maybe it’s to do with the very subtly distorted worlds they give us? i don’t know. link does it in noticeably magic realist ways. i think miranda july more gives us feelings, ideas we can recognise that seem to come more recognisably from reality, but the feeling they leave us with is similar.
plus they both feel faintly dream-like. (there’s that awesome kelly link story about a tv show called ‘the library’ which just feels like a familiar dream. same kind of feeling neil gaiman creates.)
i’d put ms. nothomb into that universe too.
i don’t mean that each of them aren’t stand-alones.
it’s just something about adult writers who can keep that sense of childlike wonder (which has a lot to do with fairytale roots, i think) alive, but chuck it into an adult context, and make sure it isn’t cloying. humour prob plays a big part in it too.
i’d throw dan rhodes into that too, though he fails on the whole being female thing.
cynthia ozick
adrienne rich
cynthia ozick
adrienne rich
the a.m. homes story is called georgica and it’s included in her book “things you should know.”
the a.m. homes story is called georgica and it’s included in her book “things you should know.”
i love adrienne rich.
i think she towers. i sometimes just find her poetic voice really powerful, and not quite haunting, but unforgettable.
i love adrienne rich.
i think she towers. i sometimes just find her poetic voice really powerful, and not quite haunting, but unforgettable.
lauren,
thanks for the title and collection of that story, i look forward to reading the rest of the stories!
lauren,
thanks for the title and collection of that story, i look forward to reading the rest of the stories!
yes yes yes. i think her whole career has been towering. from diving into the wreck to an atlas of the difficult world to more recent collections like school among the ruins, i think she has been consistent in stabbing heaven into submission with her spires and badassity.
i declare you winner.
yes yes yes. i think her whole career has been towering. from diving into the wreck to an atlas of the difficult world to more recent collections like school among the ruins, i think she has been consistent in stabbing heaven into submission with her spires and badassity.
i declare you winner.
Differences exist, yeah, but if all-male lists existed, I don’t think lists like this one would bug people. But they don’t. Because most “greatest” lists or the like are “de facto” largely male. That an all-female list needs to exist implies second-class citizenship. You gotta see that, yeah? It also doesn’t help that you and Blake are, well, are guys and probably white ones at that. You can’t not catch flack.
In any event, if your list doesn’t include Pat Barker and Chimimanda Adichie because you haven’t read them, please, go read them. I also agree that Atwood should be on the list. But good choice with Kelly Link. LOVE her.
Chimamanda, I mean. Obvi.
Differences exist, yeah, but if all-male lists existed, I don’t think lists like this one would bug people. But they don’t. Because most “greatest” lists or the like are “de facto” largely male. That an all-female list needs to exist implies second-class citizenship. You gotta see that, yeah? It also doesn’t help that you and Blake are, well, are guys and probably white ones at that. You can’t not catch flack.
In any event, if your list doesn’t include Pat Barker and Chimimanda Adichie because you haven’t read them, please, go read them. I also agree that Atwood should be on the list. But good choice with Kelly Link. LOVE her.
Chimamanda, I mean. Obvi.
both really good choices.
both really good choices.
amen, kati.
amen, kati.
Joy Williams? Perhaps?
Joy Williams? Perhaps?
Jorie Graham… :gag:
Jorie Graham… :gag:
Carole Maso! Carole Maso! I’m damn pleased to see she made your list. The Art Lover is one of my all-time favorites.
Carole Maso! Carole Maso! I’m damn pleased to see she made your list. The Art Lover is one of my all-time favorites.
second
second
forgot to add: Though she only has two books so far, I also think Ariana Reines will be doing more excellent things for the rest of her life
forgot to add: Though she only has two books so far, I also think Ariana Reines will be doing more excellent things for the rest of her life
woo hoo! carole maso. oh yes!
woo hoo! carole maso. oh yes!
at the risk of sounding sexist (or misogynist or something)… why are all you women writers so f’ing hot?!?!?!
i’m on book sites right now wish listing.
thanks!
at the risk of sounding sexist (or misogynist or something)… why are all you women writers so f’ing hot?!?!?!
i’m on book sites right now wish listing.
thanks!
kate braverman. (currently reading Lithium for Medea.) def most intense reading i’ve ever been to.
kate braverman. (currently reading Lithium for Medea.) def most intense reading i’ve ever been to.
JOY WILLIAMS
JOY WILLIAMS
If you’re including the recently departed too, what about Grace Paley? Tillie Olsen?
If you’re including the recently departed too, what about Grace Paley? Tillie Olsen?
A.M. Homes. And Dubravka Ugresic and Vedrana Rudan and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and
A.M. Homes. And Dubravka Ugresic and Vedrana Rudan and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and
i want to read kate braverman. i think i will like her.
i want to read kate braverman. i think i will like her.
[…] Blake Butler’s list of “15 Towering Literary Figures,” and Christopher Higgs’ list of “15 Significant Contemporary Women Writers.” Both were great, and I disagreed vehemently with those who criticized Blake for not putting […]
third
third
joan didion, yes
joan didion, yes
still no JAYNE ANNE PHILLIPS ??
are you people out of your fucking minds ??
still no JAYNE ANNE PHILLIPS ??
are you people out of your fucking minds ??
that bloody diaper story … I think of that one far too often. makes it hard sometimes to grin at my two young kids and act like they’re so safe.
that bloody diaper story … I think of that one far too often. makes it hard sometimes to grin at my two young kids and act like they’re so safe.
Spencer Dew asked me to say thank you.
Spencer Dew asked me to say thank you.
She has a great website and publishes other writers’ stories on it quite a bit.
She has a great website and publishes other writers’ stories on it quite a bit.
I’ve always thought that kid with cancer story fantastic. In fact, I find Lorrie Moore fantastic, though I’ve never cared for her novels very much. I don’t find the things she writes ABOUT very interesting, and if she were anyone else I wouldn’t read her at all. But her writing is brilliant, and her characters are so fascinating and real and dynamic that I can get into even a story about the relationship between a mother and a daughter traveling together.
I’ve always thought that kid with cancer story fantastic. In fact, I find Lorrie Moore fantastic, though I’ve never cared for her novels very much. I don’t find the things she writes ABOUT very interesting, and if she were anyone else I wouldn’t read her at all. But her writing is brilliant, and her characters are so fascinating and real and dynamic that I can get into even a story about the relationship between a mother and a daughter traveling together.
Agreed. I bet just about everybody loves some Didion and hates some, but she certains towers in the literary world as far as I’m concerned.
Agreed. I bet just about everybody loves some Didion and hates some, but she certains towers in the literary world as far as I’m concerned.
just read phosphor and dreamland and thought it was fucking hysterical.
just read phosphor and dreamland and thought it was fucking hysterical.
wanted to like jco, but hated the book I started with (Faithless). I get that “maximalism” or whatever is her think, but it read like word vomit, I thought, and how many times can you reference “rank animal stench” in the same volume?
wanted to like jco, but hated the book I started with (Faithless). I get that “maximalism” or whatever is her think, but it read like word vomit, I thought, and how many times can you reference “rank animal stench” in the same volume?
Hi Barry,
I’m unfamiliar with Jayne Anne Phillips. I’ve just gone and looked at a few representative samples from her website and from the first few pages of her books Lark & Termite and Fastlanes and a few others…and from this (admittedly brief) encounter I get the sense that she is a story-driven writer who is interested in conventional realism, which does not appeal to me at all. You’ll notice that the majority (if not all?) of the writers I have selected tend toward the experimental, which is what appeals to me. If I’m wrong in my assessment of Jayne Anne Phillips please let me know. I am always eager to learn about other experimental writers.
Hi Barry,
I’m unfamiliar with Jayne Anne Phillips. I’ve just gone and looked at a few representative samples from her website and from the first few pages of her books Lark & Termite and Fastlanes and a few others…and from this (admittedly brief) encounter I get the sense that she is a story-driven writer who is interested in conventional realism, which does not appeal to me at all. You’ll notice that the majority (if not all?) of the writers I have selected tend toward the experimental, which is what appeals to me. If I’m wrong in my assessment of Jayne Anne Phillips please let me know. I am always eager to learn about other experimental writers.
you are correct sir. a very gritty realism.
you are correct sir. a very gritty realism.
[…] list of “15 Towering Literary Figures” and Christopher Higgs’ list of “15 Significant Contemporary Women Writers,” Michael Schaub makes his own list: “15 Rich-Ass Authors I’ve Suddenly Decided to […]
i would echo
am homes
amy hempel
and am really glad to see
mary miller
and would add in
holly goddard jones
i would echo
am homes
amy hempel
and am really glad to see
mary miller
and would add in
holly goddard jones
knew i forgot somebody
mary gaitskill
knew i forgot somebody
mary gaitskill
C.D. Wright
Rosemarie Waldrop
Ariana Reines
Sarah Riggs
C.D. Wright
Rosemarie Waldrop
Ariana Reines
Sarah Riggs
[…] book is going to kick ass. I know it will because, as I’ve gone on record asserting, Boully is one of the most significant contemporary writers we’ve got. She’s a poet […]
No no, incorrect! Read Black Tickets, a collection of her short stories. It is fantastic and real weird.
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