tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4905080602885676490.post7699219157738776363..comments2024-03-27T20:34:09.464+01:00Comments on zmkc: Shut Up, I'm Readingzmkchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08972549292961948240noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4905080602885676490.post-85470421258120867662011-07-28T03:23:55.209+02:002011-07-28T03:23:55.209+02:00Coincidentally, I just read about that woman yeste...Coincidentally, 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.zmkchttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08972549292961948240noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4905080602885676490.post-27186288967491155882011-07-27T18:43:07.423+02:002011-07-27T18:43:07.423+02:00Eeew. You know, his work is creepy to me, too. Rea...Eeew. 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.Chris Matarazzohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17885109959459471509noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4905080602885676490.post-62928875209531932042011-07-27T02:34:34.507+02:002011-07-27T02:34:34.507+02:00I may have muddled him with someone else, but I fe...I 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.zmkchttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08972549292961948240noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4905080602885676490.post-70769330281324214702011-07-26T19:50:45.184+02:002011-07-26T19:50:45.184+02:00I won't be graphic about this, but I once met ...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.Chris Matarazzohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17885109959459471509noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4905080602885676490.post-20921740169587920802011-07-22T16:09:58.078+02:002011-07-22T16:09:58.078+02:00Oh I agree about the performer bit ... it should n...Oh 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. <br /><br />However, some writers are very interesting and articulate people and are well worth listening to ...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4905080602885676490.post-52210745012205980352011-07-22T03:01:02.715+02:002011-07-22T03:01:02.715+02:00All good points, but I still object to the job of ...All 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 fictionzmkchttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08972549292961948240noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4905080602885676490.post-23681944702664511162011-07-21T16:04:09.982+02:002011-07-21T16:04:09.982+02:00I've seen that comment by Atwood before and i...I'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.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4905080602885676490.post-31876633633496016582011-07-21T14:54:58.192+02:002011-07-21T14:54:58.192+02:00Or like a lover of meat going to an agricultural s...Or like a lover of meat going to an agricultural show? Which of course they do.Gareth Williamshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05058241057385364459noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4905080602885676490.post-63129103784114447222011-07-21T07:14:22.526+02:002011-07-21T07:14:22.526+02:00Ironically, Margaret Atwood is one of the most ent...Ironically, Margaret Atwood is one of the most entertaining authors I've ever heard talk.Pollyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18291941714980391853noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4905080602885676490.post-42700014301694866922011-07-21T03:42:48.335+02:002011-07-21T03:42:48.335+02:00However, when I want to listen to semi-senior citi...However, 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!franzyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02400212989359954521noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4905080602885676490.post-60113324484571995932011-07-21T03:39:00.637+02:002011-07-21T03:39:00.637+02:00Total agreement on all fronts, MurfomurfTotal agreement on all fronts, Murfomurfzmkchttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08972549292961948240noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4905080602885676490.post-14515940663301685642011-07-21T02:04:24.037+02:002011-07-21T02:04:24.037+02:00As an ordinary reader, not a writer, I'm with ...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!Murfomurfhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12975382358013125434noreply@blogger.com