<<Of course, this has been commercially
institutionalized in bookselling, as with the newish Borders
signs distinguishing "Popular Fiction" from "Literature," and
other such amphigory.>>
Or as in Joyce Carol Oates's disparaging remarks about
Chandler, whose "genre" work is ten times better than
anything of hers --yes, she once had a promising career, but
what has become of it? I am talking about the literary
substance, something beyond the same old story of the woman
who was abused in her childhood and goes on to be a mean
disaster forever. Melodrama 101 done 1001 times.
Yes, folks, there are still people who think Chandler and
Hammett do not deserve to be included in the Library of
America.
By the way, I got similar disparaging, even irate responses
in another forum when I suggested that if the Nobel committee
is considering an American for the prize, they should look at
Ray Bradbury and Elmore Leonard. The divide persists, sadly.
But nothing prevents us from chipping away at it.
Best regards,
MrT
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