Honestly, Jonathan Safran Foer is an excellent writer. He is supremely talented - definitely one of the most talented writers of his generation - and his passion for the craft shines through his work. He has great ideas, great flare, and a big bucket of talent.
Torn?
Yes.
Yesterday, during my Thought-Spill, I told you that I planned to use today to let you know about a book you should read. After I posted that blog, I saw something that made me change my mind; next week, I'll let you know about a book you should read. Today...
What did I see?
I saw this:
Jonathan Safran Foer's new book...
This book is called Tree of Codes, and it has been described as "A novel cut out of another novel." And actually, that's exactly what it is. This used to be Bruno Schulz's Street of Crocodiles. Words have been cut out. Words have been pieced together. A new story is told.
Okay, it's a cool idea.
But my question is: Why?
The Shutterbug loves Jonathan Safran Foer; as for me, I like him. That is, I like his talent. But I feel like he still has not written a book that matches his talent. As a reader, and as a lover of literature, I just wish he would give us more. I don't mean more books. I mean more from his books. What's with all the cleverness, the gimmicks, the uniqueness that has nothing to do with writing?
What is wrong with just...writing?
Safran Foer has the tools to be a voice that echoes throughout the decades to come. From my selfish, literature-loving perspective, I hope he will put these tools to use.
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From the picture that looks like a really cool idea, but I think people would be buying it more for the novelty than the story (I know I would).
ReplyDeleteMust admit I haven't read any of his books yet, but I know what you mean, today there does seems to be a push about doing more than just writing the best book you can.
I sure Foer will be back on the fiction trail for his next book, especially after the mother of all hand cramps he's going to have from cutting out all those books. He'll have a right hand like a crab's claw after he finishes the first print run.
Ian - I have 8 hours of work remaining today on a freelance project I'm trying to finish before Thanksgiving...and the laughs that your last paragraph gave me afforded about an hour's worth of energy. Thank you for that.
ReplyDeleteThat looks like a cool idea, but it also looks confusing to read. I like what you say in the blog, though. Sometimes the most important thing a writer can do is just write. It's amazing how often people lose sight of that.
ReplyDeleteJosh - You're right, I bet it would be a pain to read. I feel like it's important, also, for me to emphasize: I have nothing against JSF - he's a supremely talented writer. I just wish he would leave "cool ideas" like this to people who aren't all that good. Then maybe he could focus his energies on the creation of something lasting.
ReplyDeleteReading that will most likely prove as difficult as writing it must have been...Er - 'not' writing it. Novel idea (pun, of course, intended), but I agree, gimmicky.
ReplyDeleteRoberta - "Not writing." Love it.
ReplyDelete