Anthony,
On several occasions you have argued that sales are an
indicator of merit, that popularity signifies artistic
success. So how can you dismiss the extremely popular
Patterson and Cornwell as "hacks"?
And this is where my debate with Mark B began. I am right
with him in believing the mainstream American public often
embraces books and films that are nothing but flash and F/X
(although, in the right mood I can certainly appreciate flash
and F/X; after all, I'm a big fan of HK movies). My only
quibble was that The American Way is equally defined by cults
of particular tastes which go against the mainstream. Often,
these "rebels" or "punks" are even proud to be into something
in which the average consumer has no interest -- I know I
often am.
And every once in a while, the two tastes can even overlap --
for instance, Gold Medal books were certainly aware of the
marketplace.
This American Way debate has gotten me wondering -- is this
stereotype that mainstream taste is crap and discerning
readers are drawn to less-popular, but better quality
literature peculiarly American or does it hold sway in other
countries around the world?
Mark
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