A while back, I was feeling sad, because I thought I was the only person in the world who didn't want to go out to literary festivals and listen to writers talking about themselves. I was beginning to imagine that it was eccentric to prefer to stay at home, reading their work instead.
I feel a bit better since I read this remark, made by Margaret Attwood:
"Wanting to meet an author because you like his work is like wanting to meet a duck because you like paté."
The analogy is not perfect, but the central point appeals to me.
As an ordinary reader, not a writer, I'm with you! I'm always puzzled when certain friends get all worked up because the "writers' Festival" is coming, featuring a pile of the latest bestselling authors from around the world. It's always been my preference to spend my time & money reading/borrowing the books & enjoying the content. Goodonya! I do really like going to a proper talk involving an author who has a story to tell around the writing of a book, such as John Murray speaking to his short story collection "A few short notes on tropical butterflies". Of course he is an epidemiologist before he is an author & it was the public health part of me who enjoyed this. So unless there is something from life an author wants to tell me about, I'd rather just read the book!
ReplyDeleteTotal agreement on all fronts, Murfomurf
ReplyDeleteHowever, when I want to listen to semi-senior citizens tell stories about the time they grew up in a similar place near to where a famous book/author was written/grew up, but framed in the form of a question, I head straight on down to the Writer's Festival!
ReplyDeleteIronically, Margaret Atwood is one of the most entertaining authors I've ever heard talk.
ReplyDeleteOr like a lover of meat going to an agricultural show? Which of course they do.
ReplyDeleteI've seen that comment by Atwood before and it makes a smile. I have seen her live here - in conversation with Marion Halligan. She was a force to be reckoned with! I don't rush to writers festivals, but would go if the opportunity arose. I do like to hear authors talk. They vary, of course, in how interesting they are: not all are good talkers/speakers. I prefer to spend the bulk of the time I have reading ... but I don't see going to hear an author and staying at home to read them as an either/or thing.
ReplyDeleteAll good points, but I still object to the job of writer being turned into the job of performer - and also to the increasing implied link between a writer's biography and their fiction
ReplyDeleteOh I agree about the performer bit ... it should not be an expected part of their job. And, I agree also re the implied link between a writer's biography and their fiction. Of course there often is a link but too often it is assumed and it shouldn't be assumed at all. People too quickly forget that a fiction writer writes fiction and we should read it as that.
ReplyDeleteHowever, some writers are very interesting and articulate people and are well worth listening to ...
I won't be graphic about this, but I once met Michael Chabon in a restroom at Rutgers University. I had seen him speak there and, as teacher on the campus who knew the out of the way places to go, I avoided the crowds by using a rather hidden public restroom. As I stepped up and stood there quite committed to the task at hand, I glanced over to see Chabon next to me. He had no doubt been directed to that out of the way bathroom so as not to run into any fans. I nodded and smiled the tight-lipped smile required in that situation and looked immediately away. He did the same. As I stared at the wall, I said, "I promise that I will not ask you any questions about your work until we meet elsewhere." He said, "I appreciate that more than I can say." We both laughed and washe dup in silence. I held the door for him and he said "Thanks" and disappeared. I remember that more than his talk.
ReplyDeleteI may have muddled him with someone else, but I feel a bit erky about Chabon, because I associate him with some mildly creepy writing about a father's feelings for his daughter that was read out a while ago on BBC Radio Four.
ReplyDeleteEeew. You know, his work is creepy to me, too. Reading Kavalier and Clay, I got a sore upper lip form all of the curling it did. Actually, I have never finished one of his books. I just completely lose interest midway through, every time. Rare, for me. He is also the husband of the writer -- whose name I can't think of -- who infamously wrote that she would rather lose one of her kids (to death) than her husband. His writing always feels strangely unwholesome to me.
ReplyDeleteCoincidentally, I just read about that woman yesterday, having never heard of her before - the subject seemed designed to garner as much attention as possible. Such a stupid either/or to pose.
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