For the first ever Literary Blog Hop, hosted by The Blue Bookcase, I am supposed to talk about one of my favorite books and why it would be considered "literary."
That word, literary, it just begs to be snooty and elitist, doesn't it? But to me it is the difference between artisan and supermarket (see my baking blog for a much more developed baking story!), mainstream and indie, blockbuster and art house film. Most literary novels don't end up as mass-market paperbacks.
I have a lot of favorites that are obviously literary, but I'm going to choose Justine by Lawrence Durrell. I would call it literary because it combines historical accuracy with complex characters and a multifaceted story. I love it because the writing is beautiful, one of those reading experiences where I would read passages twice because of the sheer joy of it, and as soon as I finished it I went back and read the beginning again. I don't have this experience with every literary novel, but I will never forget my first time with Justine.
I am really interesting in exploring novels that are selected for award lists, and most of those are probably considered literary. That is what this blog has been about so far, and there is a long queue of books to read and reflect on along those lines.
I like your response a lot-I almost hesitated to answer the question myself as it does seem very elitist-if you ponder it-Shakespeare started out as mass entertainment and Dickens was published in the tabloids of his day
ReplyDeleteI am now a follower of your blog and look forward to your future posts-
I really liking your comparison examples! I'm also interested in exploring award list novels, and have a kitchen blog, too. I'm a new follower.
ReplyDeleteI'm visiting from the Hop! I agree that talking about literariness (and even whose blogs are literary) can be elitist, but on the other hand there really is a difference between mass-market fiction and literary fiction. It's just not always obvious where the line is.
ReplyDeleteI'm visiting you from the hop and I'm now following your blog.
ReplyDeleteI really liked your previous post about the booker prize. Looking forward to reading more of your reviews!
Sam at Tiny Library
I've found lots of wonderful literary writing by attempting to read all the winners of prizes. I'm still a little unclear exactly what literary writing is, but I know I like it.
ReplyDeleteHere's mine:
http://readerbuzz.blogspot.com/2010/11/literary-blog-hop.html
Thanks for joining us in the hop! I really enjoyed your post and look forward to perusing your blog.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I do think that some literary fiction ends up as mass-market paperbacks! Usually, though, it's not until they have achieved the status of a "classic."
Hope you've had a great weekend!
Visiting from the hop as well. Literary is certainly an elite word, but I think literature is an elite form of books. I like your comparisons. Also, it's cool that you're reading through the award lists - I'm reading through a 100 Books You Must Read Before You Die list, which is similar, but filled with a lot more classics.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, going to subscribe.
I am hoping too!
ReplyDeleteIs there another book called Justine which is actually erotica? hmm off to check it out.