in the department of 'other people explain things better'

[rushthatspeaks]

David Foster Wallace explains why I, personally, do not read John Updike.

It's rather eerie, actually.

Comments

[nineweaving.livejournal.com]

Now that is elegant snark.

Nine

[marith.livejournal.com]

Yes, that!

The other reason I don't like Updike's prose is that it belongs to what I think of as the "dirty dishes" style. Everything in his worlds seems to be plebian, tawdry, cynical, so aware of the small ickinesses of life as to drown out joy. His characters don't do joy, or awe, or glorious silliness and delight. If they were handed manna from heaven, they would analyze its gritty texture and taste for two pages.


(Also, a sexual encounter with a thirteen-year-old, and we're supposed to be sympathetic to this protagonist? Not.)

[rax.livejournal.com]

<3 DFW!

[slashfairy.livejournal.com]

oh, ew.

and now i know why i've never read it- TRIED, but just no- because lovely writing should be in service of something. that's grand, for one's journal- make love to your balls if you need to. but man, don't ask me to watch.

[octopedingenue]

The hair went up on the back of my neck until I clicked and realized it was an old essay.

I have yet to read Updike; now I shall reconsider starting.