How Hated Is Jonathan Safran Foer?
The Guardian just released an article about how much shit talking is being directed at Jonathan Safran Foer. Having never read his work, does he really suck that bad?
All I know is that he’s a young successful writer. And from New York. And wears glasses. Wait, I’m looking at his bio photos…I think I hate him…No…Hmm…
From the Guardian comments section:
I always presumed Foer would be exactly the kind of author I would hate. He writes long, self-important books that fill 3 for 2 sections of chain bookstores, marketed perfectly as the clever read for stupid people.
Nice. Read the Guardian article HERE.
Tags: Jonathan Safran Foer
is that a picture of fred savage?
is that a picture of fred savage?
i tried both ‘everything is illuminated’ and ‘extremely loud incred close’ and got really annoyed at the ‘voice’ by page 5. the was very ‘show off-y’ like Nabokov-y.
and people are really touchy about jewish people writing about jewish people because after bellow and roth it’s kinda old. and he’s married to allison krauss, who does the same thing. and he’s hot.
i don’t consider this comment shit-talking. my feelings about him, and everything i’ve said here, are neutral. or maybe i’m just jealous. it would be okay for you to think that.
i tried both ‘everything is illuminated’ and ‘extremely loud incred close’ and got really annoyed at the ‘voice’ by page 5. the was very ‘show off-y’ like Nabokov-y.
and people are really touchy about jewish people writing about jewish people because after bellow and roth it’s kinda old. and he’s married to allison krauss, who does the same thing. and he’s hot.
i don’t consider this comment shit-talking. my feelings about him, and everything i’ve said here, are neutral. or maybe i’m just jealous. it would be okay for you to think that.
I haven’t read JSF either, so judgment withheld on whether he’s good, bad, or more likely, has his better and worse moments, much like the sainted rest of us. But I will say this- Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, his 2nd novel (the 9/11 one) came out not long after I moved to New York. I had never before (and never since) seen a book so universally savaged, or seen the reviewers take such deep visceral glee in doing the savaging. The New York Press (a free alt weekly that’s a right-wing rag now) made their take-down a COVER STORY. Yes, a book review was a cover story.
I haven’t read JSF either, so judgment withheld on whether he’s good, bad, or more likely, has his better and worse moments, much like the sainted rest of us. But I will say this- Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, his 2nd novel (the 9/11 one) came out not long after I moved to New York. I had never before (and never since) seen a book so universally savaged, or seen the reviewers take such deep visceral glee in doing the savaging. The New York Press (a free alt weekly that’s a right-wing rag now) made their take-down a COVER STORY. Yes, a book review was a cover story.
the english are such superb haters. I love the term “shadenfoer”! Good lord, that is brilliant. I will say this- I did not read nor will I read either of his books and I’m OK with that. I’ve read some short fiction by his wife, Nicole Krauss. I think I liked it but I am not going to read her novel and that is OK. I’m sure they are both talented and interesting and so on. But I just am not that interested.
Ibet there are a lot of bitter nasty people who are so envious they can’t actually read his work for what it is though. Envy is a fierce fierce thing, as fierce as pride. Never does anyone any good to go there, but English people (generally, of course not every single one) think envy is sport, like their beloved football.
i like what pr said.
*i mean nicole krauss. allison krauss plays piano.
i like what pr said.
*i mean nicole krauss. allison krauss plays piano.
I read everything is illuminated and liked it. I’ve never met Foer so I don’t have reason to like or hate the man. I read it a while ago so maybe I would read it differently now. But the ‘voicey’ sections aren’t the entire book. It’s kind of kind of like three books spliced together. One of the splices, not the ‘voicey’ one, was actually really imaginative, I thought.
I read everything is illuminated and liked it. I’ve never met Foer so I don’t have reason to like or hate the man. I read it a while ago so maybe I would read it differently now. But the ‘voicey’ sections aren’t the entire book. It’s kind of kind of like three books spliced together. One of the splices, not the ‘voicey’ one, was actually really imaginative, I thought.
I remember reading his story “A Primer for Punctuation of Heart Disease” and thinking it was clever but in a good way. I enjoyed it. Maybe I’d feel different if I reread it, I don’t know.
http://books.google.com/books?id=VA4sda0VpsIC&pg=PA135&lpg=PA135&dq=jonathan+safran+foer+new+yorker+punctuation&source=web&ots=p0sei8UDoa&sig=8uuhg7Djm3Bg1gex5GjgLBdj5oY&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=2&ct=result#PPA135,M1
I remember reading his story “A Primer for Punctuation of Heart Disease” and thinking it was clever but in a good way. I enjoyed it. Maybe I’d feel different if I reread it, I don’t know.
http://books.google.com/books?id=VA4sda0VpsIC&pg=PA135&lpg=PA135&dq=jonathan+safran+foer+new+yorker+punctuation&source=web&ots=p0sei8UDoa&sig=8uuhg7Djm3Bg1gex5GjgLBdj5oY&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=2&ct=result#PPA135,M1
Justin- I didn’t see that NY Press cover but that says a lot – people just want to hate on him because he is successful. That said, he may be an ass (I’ve met many a successful writer whose arrogance is earthshatteringly unbearable)- and he may be overrated- I’ll never know cause I’m not reading his books. But the whole Takedown? It’s a bummer. No need.
jimmy, my man:
allison krause sings country/folk/gospel. i read nikole krausse’s ‘history of love’ which was pretty good i think. i had to read it for a class, but it was better then i thought it would be. better then the others on the list. delillo’s fallen man, and prose’s blue angel.
jimmy, my man:
allison krause sings country/folk/gospel. i read nikole krausse’s ‘history of love’ which was pretty good i think. i had to read it for a class, but it was better then i thought it would be. better then the others on the list. delillo’s fallen man, and prose’s blue angel.
darby:
:It’s kind of kind of like three books spliced together.”
thats how nikole’s history of love is too. three stories braided together.
i think jimmy reffered to that in a previous pots as “gimmicky” was that you jimmy?
darby:
:It’s kind of kind of like three books spliced together.”
thats how nikole’s history of love is too. three stories braided together.
i think jimmy reffered to that in a previous pots as “gimmicky” was that you jimmy?
DELILLO…..
most overrated writer ever?
someone post this as a topic. lets have this discussion. who is the most overrated writer ever?
This isn’t a knock on anybody, but I love all of the “maybe if I reread it I would think differently”s. What’s going on there? You think he’s okay, but some other people hate him, so maybe just in case you made a mistake, he could be terrible? Huh?
I say it isn’t a knock on anyone because most likely I’d do it too, as a reflex. Still, though. Your opinion of the books shouldn’t change (and it probably didn’t) just because of gossip.
DELILLO…..
most overrated writer ever?
someone post this as a topic. lets have this discussion. who is the most overrated writer ever?
This isn’t a knock on anybody, but I love all of the “maybe if I reread it I would think differently”s. What’s going on there? You think he’s okay, but some other people hate him, so maybe just in case you made a mistake, he could be terrible? Huh?
I say it isn’t a knock on anyone because most likely I’d do it too, as a reflex. Still, though. Your opinion of the books shouldn’t change (and it probably didn’t) just because of gossip.
andre:
i dont think its the gossip that changes, but the amount of time from the last read. i first read kerouac when i was 21 and thought it was the best thing ever. maybe now, almost a decade later, not so much. time… no?
i just think sometimes writers are really concerned about the structure of their novels more than the content, like they want to make it good so they use a fancy device like ‘oh, that person who sends the letters is that other person’s lost father,’ and i’m like, ‘um, of course it is.’ but i don’t make the book more interesting.
god i sound like a prick. just for the records, i’m an idiot who has been written a book.
andre:
i dont think its the gossip that changes, but the amount of time from the last read. i first read kerouac when i was 21 and thought it was the best thing ever. maybe now, almost a decade later, not so much. time… no?
i just think sometimes writers are really concerned about the structure of their novels more than the content, like they want to make it good so they use a fancy device like ‘oh, that person who sends the letters is that other person’s lost father,’ and i’m like, ‘um, of course it is.’ but i don’t make the book more interesting.
god i sound like a prick. just for the records, i’m an idiot who has been written a book.
*it don’t make the book…
*who has never writtten…
i can’t type
*it don’t make the book…
*who has never writtten…
i can’t type
JIMMY:
do the post. who is the most overrated writer ever. post it. they will come.
rereading is crucial to me. If a book doesn’t hold up five years later..which many don’t, that’s meaningful. also- if a book becomes even more interesting and shows me new things about it on rereading- that too is crucial. it doesn’t have to do with gossip- just that reading hesse at 15 is great, but i don’t know what i would think of him now. same goes for tons of people- ayn rand comes to mind. i tried rereading faulkner recently- i loved him- and i put it right down. i reread the sun also rises in one day a few months ago. and son on…
JIMMY:
do the post. who is the most overrated writer ever. post it. they will come.
pr:
i agree.
andre is probably 19. and hasnt had the opportunity to put that much time between reads. but he will. i have faith.
pr:
i agree.
andre is probably 19. and hasnt had the opportunity to put that much time between reads. but he will. i have faith.
that 100 years of solitude guy, marquez something. at like page 3 of love in the time of cholera i was like ‘dude, relax.’
that 100 years of solitude guy, marquez something. at like page 3 of love in the time of cholera i was like ‘dude, relax.’
jimmy, no fucking way. 100 years of solitude is one of my fav five ever.
start a new post on the mainpage i want to hear what lots of people say.
jimmy, no fucking way. 100 years of solitude is one of my fav five ever.
start a new post on the mainpage i want to hear what lots of people say.
barry- you are probably right.
most overrated- contentious!
everything is illuminated annoyed the shit of me for its cutesy voice, and how the story did nothing and was not interesting in any way, and yet was hailed as some kind of wunderkind. i didnt get that. that book sucked dick.
i read some of the 2nd one in borders one day and was actually really impressed with what he was doing in it: his sentences in that one were on a different level and he was doing a lot of interesting things with the book as object. i have meant to read that one and give it a chance.
the primer for heart disease thing was really impressive too to me when i first read it: it seemed new.
so maybe for me the jury is still out.
as for delillo: end zone is the shit.
everything is illuminated annoyed the shit of me for its cutesy voice, and how the story did nothing and was not interesting in any way, and yet was hailed as some kind of wunderkind. i didnt get that. that book sucked dick.
i read some of the 2nd one in borders one day and was actually really impressed with what he was doing in it: his sentences in that one were on a different level and he was doing a lot of interesting things with the book as object. i have meant to read that one and give it a chance.
the primer for heart disease thing was really impressive too to me when i first read it: it seemed new.
so maybe for me the jury is still out.
as for delillo: end zone is the shit.
I watched the Everything is Illuminated movie. Not even the great Elijah Wood could save it.
And I like Delillo.
I watched the Everything is Illuminated movie. Not even the great Elijah Wood could save it.
And I like Delillo.
I would think that what pisses most people off is that the guy remains such a figure. I understand the awesomeness of writing a cool book and all, but there are plenty of other authors doing great things as well.
What makes people talk the most shit isn’t that they’re so jealous of what he did, but more that everyone spends so much time doting on his popularity. Even a negative JSF review grabs headlines over better, more relevant work that deserves real attention. He’s the jewish writer Britney Spears.
It’s a pathetic self-inflicted wound that we’re all guilty of. It’s like he’s one of a few celebrity writers that you can talk shit about pretty easily, and that shit-talking is exactly the sort of thing that perpetuates this idea of some inherent greatness that should/doesn’t exist in the man that is JSF.
I would think that what pisses most people off is that the guy remains such a figure. I understand the awesomeness of writing a cool book and all, but there are plenty of other authors doing great things as well.
What makes people talk the most shit isn’t that they’re so jealous of what he did, but more that everyone spends so much time doting on his popularity. Even a negative JSF review grabs headlines over better, more relevant work that deserves real attention. He’s the jewish writer Britney Spears.
It’s a pathetic self-inflicted wound that we’re all guilty of. It’s like he’s one of a few celebrity writers that you can talk shit about pretty easily, and that shit-talking is exactly the sort of thing that perpetuates this idea of some inherent greatness that should/doesn’t exist in the man that is JSF.
barry, you and me have finally disagreed.
this made my day.
your taste in books is sort of ‘gay.’
maybe i’ll check out endzone. i just remember reading white noise and libra and falling man and thinking, fuck, this is don delillo, this is so fucking lame.
barry, you and me have finally disagreed.
this made my day.
your taste in books is sort of ‘gay.’
maybe i’ll check out endzone. i just remember reading white noise and libra and falling man and thinking, fuck, this is don delillo, this is so fucking lame.
and i know, if i didnt like one why did i read others. white noise out of curiosity. the other two were for classes.
and i know, if i didnt like one why did i read others. white noise out of curiosity. the other two were for classes.
sort of gay? 100 years of solitude is a fucking masterpiece. you’re crazy.
sort of gay? 100 years of solitude is a fucking masterpiece. you’re crazy.
Barry,
No, I understand what you mean by “putting some time between reads”. It just seemed defensive in this instance. The book came out in 2002. And I don’t think you have to reread a book to say how much you like it, or qualify all statements with “but of course I haven’t read it again”, bullshit if you haven’t reread it. Why can’t you just say whether you liked it or not? That’s what I was getting at.
I haven’t read it either, so maybe it’s one of those books “young”, I don’t know. I don’t think Kerouac would have the same effect on me either. Fuck you for the 19 year old comment, though.
Barry,
No, I understand what you mean by “putting some time between reads”. It just seemed defensive in this instance. The book came out in 2002. And I don’t think you have to reread a book to say how much you like it, or qualify all statements with “but of course I haven’t read it again”, bullshit if you haven’t reread it. Why can’t you just say whether you liked it or not? That’s what I was getting at.
I haven’t read it either, so maybe it’s one of those books “young”, I don’t know. I don’t think Kerouac would have the same effect on me either. Fuck you for the 19 year old comment, though.
most overrated idea-
lorrie moore
i could write that one. the woman has built an enormous career on five good stories. i also admit to being barfing straight up bile with envy for what she’s done with so little. maybe she sold her soul to the devil? Whatever- it worked.
I think e is e is probably typed into the wrong category. I think we like to compare it to the great language fiction that’s out there. Up against that, it’s gimmicky. I even picked it up and read the first page now after reading half of Beckett’s short prose for the last few weeks and cringed. e is e really should be compared against other books that are about the holocaust, or that attempt to put new spins on war story aftermaths, like Kavalier and Clay maybe. Answering the question we kept trying to look for in entertainment in the 90’s, stirred maybe by Schindlers List, of how are modern day Jews handling it all?
I think e is e is probably typed into the wrong category. I think we like to compare it to the great language fiction that’s out there. Up against that, it’s gimmicky. I even picked it up and read the first page now after reading half of Beckett’s short prose for the last few weeks and cringed. e is e really should be compared against other books that are about the holocaust, or that attempt to put new spins on war story aftermaths, like Kavalier and Clay maybe. Answering the question we kept trying to look for in entertainment in the 90’s, stirred maybe by Schindlers List, of how are modern day Jews handling it all?
andre:
thank you for fucking me. its been awhile. the reach around was much appreciated.
how old are you….
andre:
thank you for fucking me. its been awhile. the reach around was much appreciated.
how old are you….
ok, now i get andre’s point. i still am a massive rereader. it’s my thing, like nail biting. but i get it.
all of you can fuck off for ignoring me and not posting the overrated question on the mainpage.
all of you can fuck off for ignoring me and not posting the overrated question on the mainpage.
pr:
i knew what his point was. and i agree with him. i was just jibber jabbering.
pr:
i knew what his point was. and i agree with him. i was just jibber jabbering.
I thought white noise was genius. I fell in love with dellilos writing reading white noise. I read underworld also and can’t completely explain my thoughts on it. I’ve not read anything else though. I didn’t read falling man because the new yorker pissed me off by publishing that amalgam of it as a short story. I still want to read the others though.
I thought white noise was genius. I fell in love with dellilos writing reading white noise. I read underworld also and can’t completely explain my thoughts on it. I’ve not read anything else though. I didn’t read falling man because the new yorker pissed me off by publishing that amalgam of it as a short story. I still want to read the others though.
DeLillo is uneven, but has some really good work.
DeLillo is uneven, but has some really good work.
i didn’t get his point in regard to foer’s 2002 book- i thought he was talking generally. now i get it.
Barry,
No problem regarding the reach around. And I’m 22. That is probably why the comment stung.
Barry,
No problem regarding the reach around. And I’m 22. That is probably why the comment stung.
i know me not liking delillo doesnt mean he isnt great. im just saying fuck. he may have had one great novel, and i wouldnt even say that. but is really the master that he’s been billed to be?
i know me not liking delillo doesnt mean he isnt great. im just saying fuck. he may have had one great novel, and i wouldnt even say that. but is really the master that he’s been billed to be?
andre:
my man, i wasnt dissing you, i was saying that you are too young to have put significant time and distance between reads. its not a diss. its legit point.
andre:
my man, i wasnt dissing you, i was saying that you are too young to have put significant time and distance between reads. its not a diss. its legit point.
I don’t know. How cares. I don’t like these kinds of conversations. Where we have a perception of what a public deems someone and then gut them to see if they deserve it. Fuck that. Over-rated, under-rated. Why does it matter? Just like what you like because the rest of the world likes things for their own reasons.
I don’t know. How cares. I don’t like these kinds of conversations. Where we have a perception of what a public deems someone and then gut them to see if they deserve it. Fuck that. Over-rated, under-rated. Why does it matter? Just like what you like because the rest of the world likes things for their own reasons.
darby:
i think there is plenty of reasons to examine things and determine why they are valued and by whom and for what reasons. whats wrong with gutting monsters open and seeing what’s in their bellies?
darby:
i think there is plenty of reasons to examine things and determine why they are valued and by whom and for what reasons. whats wrong with gutting monsters open and seeing what’s in their bellies?
GO BEARS!
Barry,
I don’t think that’s true, though. Well, yes it probably is when you use the term “significant”. But I like rereading too, and it’s not like I picked up my first book yesterday. If I’ve been reading seriously for four years (you might have issues with “serious”?) then I think that’s enough time for me to look back and say “What was I thinking, I can’t believe what a ‘jacktard’ I was,” or “This book is complete garbage”. I’m certainly old enough to understand the phenomenon, and I don’t really think my age is really relevant.
GO BEARS!
Barry,
I don’t think that’s true, though. Well, yes it probably is when you use the term “significant”. But I like rereading too, and it’s not like I picked up my first book yesterday. If I’ve been reading seriously for four years (you might have issues with “serious”?) then I think that’s enough time for me to look back and say “What was I thinking, I can’t believe what a ‘jacktard’ I was,” or “This book is complete garbage”. I’m certainly old enough to understand the phenomenon, and I don’t really think my age is really relevant.
darby –
don’t be so isolationist. come together. the liking of a thing is better when that liking occurs in a group. just like hate. hate is more effective in a group setting. so is like. ah, so is love.
i’m with barry on 100 years of solitude. hopefully, this doesn’t mean i have to give my presidency of the Jimmy Chen fan club.
darby –
don’t be so isolationist. come together. the liking of a thing is better when that liking occurs in a group. just like hate. hate is more effective in a group setting. so is like. ah, so is love.
i’m with barry on 100 years of solitude. hopefully, this doesn’t mean i have to give my presidency of the Jimmy Chen fan club.
andre:
i wasnt trying to insinuate that you were too young to “get it” only that i think people react to books differently depending on when in life they read it.
for instance. when i was 16 i read malcolm x autobio twice through back to back and it was the best fucking thing i ever read at that moment, but if i read it now i wouldnt get through the first two pages without putting the book down and watching csi reruns.
i meant no offense. really. i apologize if it seemed that way/
I guess. Probably I feel like I’ve been doing it for so long now. I don’t want to be so critical anymore, I think, when I as an individual don’t like something, because everyone’s different, I don’t know.
Also, we’re never gutting an author, we’re gutting the people holding the author up, and rarely do I see people thinking in those kinds of mass psychology terms. It’s always, ‘I’ think they are over-rated because… Nothing is over-rated because the mass rates things, not you. You need to understand why culture is latching on to things, regardless of whether you latch on to it. There are always reasons but no one wants to think outside themselves and their own stubborn ideas of what art should be.
andre:
i wasnt trying to insinuate that you were too young to “get it” only that i think people react to books differently depending on when in life they read it.
for instance. when i was 16 i read malcolm x autobio twice through back to back and it was the best fucking thing i ever read at that moment, but if i read it now i wouldnt get through the first two pages without putting the book down and watching csi reruns.
i meant no offense. really. i apologize if it seemed that way/
I guess. Probably I feel like I’ve been doing it for so long now. I don’t want to be so critical anymore, I think, when I as an individual don’t like something, because everyone’s different, I don’t know.
Also, we’re never gutting an author, we’re gutting the people holding the author up, and rarely do I see people thinking in those kinds of mass psychology terms. It’s always, ‘I’ think they are over-rated because… Nothing is over-rated because the mass rates things, not you. You need to understand why culture is latching on to things, regardless of whether you latch on to it. There are always reasons but no one wants to think outside themselves and their own stubborn ideas of what art should be.
“You need to understand why culture is latching on to things, regardless of whether you latch on to it. There are always reasons but no one wants to think outside themselves and their own stubborn ideas of what art should be.”
i agree. thats why the discussion should be had.
“You need to understand why culture is latching on to things, regardless of whether you latch on to it. There are always reasons but no one wants to think outside themselves and their own stubborn ideas of what art should be.”
i agree. thats why the discussion should be had.
JEREME:
fuck the bears.
steelers, baby
JEREME:
fuck the bears.
steelers, baby
“There are always reasons but no one wants to think outside themselves and their own stubborn ideas of what art should be.”
Any thoughts on what the primary reasons could be for this?
“There are always reasons but no one wants to think outside themselves and their own stubborn ideas of what art should be.”
Any thoughts on what the primary reasons could be for this?
Barry,
No, no, I get what you’re saying. I am not offended, though I was a bit initially. Sorry if my explanation suggested otherwise, I have a tendency to do that sometimes.
Barry,
No, no, I get what you’re saying. I am not offended, though I was a bit initially. Sorry if my explanation suggested otherwise, I have a tendency to do that sometimes.
thats whats shitty about online conversations. no one can really know for sure what anyone else really means.
thats whats shitty about online conversations. no one can really know for sure what anyone else really means.
Remember when Jonathan Safran Foer was in Playboy, writing about how he collects blank sheets of paper? That was precious.
Remember when Jonathan Safran Foer was in Playboy, writing about how he collects blank sheets of paper? That was precious.
i remember liking his first book. i read it when i was 18 and living with my grandparents for the summer.
i didn’t like his second book though. fuck 9/11 writing.
that picture makes him look like a douche filled with pubes.
i remember liking his first book. i read it when i was 18 and living with my grandparents for the summer.
i didn’t like his second book though. fuck 9/11 writing.
that picture makes him look like a douche filled with pubes.
“for instance. when i was 16 i read malcolm x autobio twice through back to back and it was the best fucking thing i ever read at that moment, but if i read it now i wouldnt get through the first two pages without putting the book down and watching csi reruns. ”
I’m sorry, this is just too good. BARRY! I love you.
“…until I barfed foam.” BG
the guardian artcle had a link to a story by Anya Ulinich that lampooned the whole Foernonmenon. that shit was funny and that chick is on my reading list now.
the guardian artcle had a link to a story by Anya Ulinich that lampooned the whole Foernonmenon. that shit was funny and that chick is on my reading list now.
BTW- I have to add that we old people have nothing left but our precious “five years later, i reread it” and you younger folks have good skin, good health, a working liver, hard dicks at the drop of a hat, and so and so forth. So forgive us for our “five years later, i reread it”. its all we have!
pr:
you said you werent gonna do the old thing anymore. thanks for not posting my who is the most overrated writer topic with a pic of don delillo.
i still love you.
pr:
you said you werent gonna do the old thing anymore. thanks for not posting my who is the most overrated writer topic with a pic of don delillo.
i still love you.
i loved everything is illuminated, thank you
i loved everything is illuminated, thank you
Foer wrote a deeply unpleasant (way too earnest and self-congratulatory) essay on his vegetarianism. I haven’t been able to read him because of it.
Foer wrote a deeply unpleasant (way too earnest and self-congratulatory) essay on his vegetarianism. I haven’t been able to read him because of it.
I have a thing against Johns and Johnathans. Safran Foer, Franzen, Updike….
If I were a Johnathan I’d be way famous and secretly hate myself.
I have a thing against Johns and Johnathans. Safran Foer, Franzen, Updike….
If I were a Johnathan I’d be way famous and secretly hate myself.
Jonatahn Ames is one really good Jonathan. Especially his essays!
Haven’t read Foer but he was nice when I met him at Powell’s a couple years back.
What else…I tried Delilo and was underwhelmed too. I could never understand why Lish went on about him.
Re: Football–I’m a Cardinals fan. They’re actually doing well this year so go easy.
Jonatahn Ames is one really good Jonathan. Especially his essays!
Haven’t read Foer but he was nice when I met him at Powell’s a couple years back.
What else…I tried Delilo and was underwhelmed too. I could never understand why Lish went on about him.
Re: Football–I’m a Cardinals fan. They’re actually doing well this year so go easy.
kevin –
im not crazy about the cards, but i like kurt warner, and they are in the nfc west with san fran so they’re easier to root for.
kevin –
im not crazy about the cards, but i like kurt warner, and they are in the nfc west with san fran so they’re easier to root for.
i forgot about johnathan ames. you’re right. he seems rad.
I haven’t read this yet but I will say that apparently one thing bandied about is that another, established, elderly author essentially re-wrote E is E for Foer, and then deceased prior to Extremely Loud, hence why EL is just a clusterfuck of cutsey nonsense whereas when I read E is E I said to myself – OK, not awesome, but you know? For a young author, I like where this might be headed – I will read what he puts out next.
I saw him speak once and read from EL, which ended up being some kind of audiovisual nonsense during which he gave away the entire ending of the book. Needless to say, I’m not impressed.
I guess I can’t hate on someone who writes and makes massive amounts of bank from it, but he does rub me wrong. I think I’d feel a little less wrathful towards him if I wasn’t aware of how privileged he is and how much his familial connections had to do with his success.
In short: JSF, please introduce me to your New Republic editing brother. I shall perform fellatio on him for a mere pittance of what you yourself have received.
Frankly the whole thing is just sour grapes, I’m just so petty that I can’t overcome a little bile. Any attention given him by haters should likely be used focusing on one’s own writing.
“I always presumed Foer would be exactly the kind of author I would hate. He writes long, self-important books that fill 3 for 2 sections of chain bookstores, marketed perfectly as the clever read for stupid people.”
That about sums it up, yeah. There’s really not that much going on up there. It reminds me of what I would write when I was in high school. Whatever.
I haven’t read this yet but I will say that apparently one thing bandied about is that another, established, elderly author essentially re-wrote E is E for Foer, and then deceased prior to Extremely Loud, hence why EL is just a clusterfuck of cutsey nonsense whereas when I read E is E I said to myself – OK, not awesome, but you know? For a young author, I like where this might be headed – I will read what he puts out next.
I saw him speak once and read from EL, which ended up being some kind of audiovisual nonsense during which he gave away the entire ending of the book. Needless to say, I’m not impressed.
I guess I can’t hate on someone who writes and makes massive amounts of bank from it, but he does rub me wrong. I think I’d feel a little less wrathful towards him if I wasn’t aware of how privileged he is and how much his familial connections had to do with his success.
In short: JSF, please introduce me to your New Republic editing brother. I shall perform fellatio on him for a mere pittance of what you yourself have received.
Frankly the whole thing is just sour grapes, I’m just so petty that I can’t overcome a little bile. Any attention given him by haters should likely be used focusing on one’s own writing.
“I always presumed Foer would be exactly the kind of author I would hate. He writes long, self-important books that fill 3 for 2 sections of chain bookstores, marketed perfectly as the clever read for stupid people.”
That about sums it up, yeah. There’s really not that much going on up there. It reminds me of what I would write when I was in high school. Whatever.
“Ibet there are a lot of bitter nasty people who are so envious they can’t actually read his work for what it is though.”
Totally. I think the thing is is that he’s kind of encroached on territory his writing doesn’t really belong to and has bought his own hype. The second book particularly pissed me off because he was obviously trying to be edgy by talking about 9-11, but it was just so cutesy and empty that it was somewhat offensive given how quickly it came out after the fact. If it had come out a decade or two from now… well, whatever. But that shit really smacked of exploitation.
“DELILLO…..
most overrated writer ever?”
Underworld, certainly.
“He’s the jewish writer Britney Spears.
It’s a pathetic self-inflicted wound that we’re all guilty of. ”
YES. YES. YES.
“Ibet there are a lot of bitter nasty people who are so envious they can’t actually read his work for what it is though.”
Totally. I think the thing is is that he’s kind of encroached on territory his writing doesn’t really belong to and has bought his own hype. The second book particularly pissed me off because he was obviously trying to be edgy by talking about 9-11, but it was just so cutesy and empty that it was somewhat offensive given how quickly it came out after the fact. If it had come out a decade or two from now… well, whatever. But that shit really smacked of exploitation.
“DELILLO…..
most overrated writer ever?”
Underworld, certainly.
“He’s the jewish writer Britney Spears.
It’s a pathetic self-inflicted wound that we’re all guilty of. ”
YES. YES. YES.
Oh, and – TRIPLE POST – you forgot Lethem. I really don’t like most of his writing, but Fortress of Solitude was quite good and he was really rather humble when I saw him speak and read. I picked up some book about writers talking about their favorite piece of their own, I think it was, where he mentioned in a blurb that he would never write anything as good as FoS again and he had no idea where it came from. That made me like him even more. He actually seemed kind of uncomfortable with the attention given him at the event and was stuttering a little bit until he got caught up in the reading of one of his short stories. He seemed to me to be quite authentic, and I have a good deal of respect for him. If you haven’t yet, check out Fortress. There are certainly some vapid moments but I have to say he’s earned his place, and I’m glad there’s someone out there making a living off of this shit who still retains what appears to be an authentic attitude and cares quite a bit about what he does beyond the press it gets him.
Oh, and – TRIPLE POST – you forgot Lethem. I really don’t like most of his writing, but Fortress of Solitude was quite good and he was really rather humble when I saw him speak and read. I picked up some book about writers talking about their favorite piece of their own, I think it was, where he mentioned in a blurb that he would never write anything as good as FoS again and he had no idea where it came from. That made me like him even more. He actually seemed kind of uncomfortable with the attention given him at the event and was stuttering a little bit until he got caught up in the reading of one of his short stories. He seemed to me to be quite authentic, and I have a good deal of respect for him. If you haven’t yet, check out Fortress. There are certainly some vapid moments but I have to say he’s earned his place, and I’m glad there’s someone out there making a living off of this shit who still retains what appears to be an authentic attitude and cares quite a bit about what he does beyond the press it gets him.
Bears won motherfuckers.
steelers are the foer of the NFL.
yawn
Bears won motherfuckers.
steelers are the foer of the NFL.
yawn
i liked the movie FORTRESS with Christopher Lambert.
it is under valued.
i liked the movie FORTRESS with Christopher Lambert.
it is under valued.
jereme has crossed a line. steelers are not foer. that’s unreasonable and mean. did you even watch the cowboys game? shit. jsf could never do that ever.
the steelers are the nabokov of the nfl. excellent defense, sporadic offense. simultaneously classic and innovative. lots of fans, but for a good reason.
the rooneys are the best owners in sports. hines ward is the best blocking wr ever. james harrison and troy polamalu are amazing.
jsf is more like this year’s chargers. tons of hype, very sporadic follow through. best possible record 8-8.
question: who is the lions?
jereme has crossed a line. steelers are not foer. that’s unreasonable and mean. did you even watch the cowboys game? shit. jsf could never do that ever.
the steelers are the nabokov of the nfl. excellent defense, sporadic offense. simultaneously classic and innovative. lots of fans, but for a good reason.
the rooneys are the best owners in sports. hines ward is the best blocking wr ever. james harrison and troy polamalu are amazing.
jsf is more like this year’s chargers. tons of hype, very sporadic follow through. best possible record 8-8.
question: who is the lions?
the lions are sherman alexie…
i will let you do your own elaboration…..
the lions are sherman alexie…
i will let you do your own elaboration…..
but we can all safely agree james patterson sucks, right? RIGHT?!!
but we can all safely agree james patterson sucks, right? RIGHT?!!
polamalu is insane. the rest are ‘eh’
polamalu is insane. the rest are ‘eh’
i like willie parker when he’s healthy
i like willie parker when he’s healthy
The Nurse and the Novelist by Anya Ulinich
http://www.pen.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/2812/prmID/1502
A lot of people interpreted it as an attach on Foer. Maud Newton asked her to respond:
http://maudnewton.com/blog/?p=9057
I like Ulinich’s story quite a bit more than anything Foer’s written, but I think it’s kind of hard to ignore where the inspiration for it came from even if Anya says it isn’t a “hit piece”. Maybe it isn’t intentionally meant to be but it sure is a laugh riot if you’ve read and disliked E is E.
The Nurse and the Novelist by Anya Ulinich
http://www.pen.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/2812/prmID/1502
A lot of people interpreted it as an attach on Foer. Maud Newton asked her to respond:
http://maudnewton.com/blog/?p=9057
I like Ulinich’s story quite a bit more than anything Foer’s written, but I think it’s kind of hard to ignore where the inspiration for it came from even if Anya says it isn’t a “hit piece”. Maybe it isn’t intentionally meant to be but it sure is a laugh riot if you’ve read and disliked E is E.
Reading “ELAIC” as an in school assignment was cruel and unusual punishment for me. Not only do I hate his immature voice and unecessary old people sex, his redeeming morals directly conflict with mine. And the trials we watch the main characters drown in/overcome? Mock my own personal pain I can’t share with anyone. So yeah, I hate his book. And my teacher for thinking he is refreshing.