Last night I finished a splendid novel full of troubled and fascinating relationships, complex in its storyline and absolutely right in its conclusion. Toward morning, I found myself dreaming about the characters. A book like this took years to write by an author both intelligent and wise. Yet if you checked its Amazon ranking, you could see for yourself that nobody is reading it.
What is going on here? Have life-encompassing novels gone the way of cursive writing and the quill pen? David Ulin, former book review editor of the LA Times, says that it is true—as a culture, we no longer read deeply or well. Why not? He blames the flood of disconnected information that daily inundates us. We must beat our way through a rising tide of words, trying our best not to drown. In the process, we are losing our ability to focus, to attend, to ruminate.
How about this for a novel idea? What if we took up novel-reading as an act of radical resistance against bobbing around like flotsam? What if we lifted our heads, arched our backs, charted our course, and embraced the water as though it were home?
A splendid proposal. I’ve got a few shelves of books that fit that description that have been waiting until I get the chance. Time to make the chance starting this evening.
Thanks for your thoughtful comment, Tom! What a world it would be, wouldn’t it?
Unless I’m just too tired now I haven’t found the name of this novel. I’m always looking for a great novel with fascinating characters and everything you described. Would you mind sharing the title?
Thanks for this – I so agree with you and I become very sad that reading this type of book isn’t part of more people’s lives. I’m always so grateful when my grandchildren ask for me to read them books before I ask.
Your last paragraph is glorious, and I’ve copied it to put in my collection of writing to be saved. Thank you.
Wendy, thanks. It makes me glad to know there are still plenty of novel-lovers out there.
For those of you especially interested in the formation of children, here is an interesting meditation on the importance of art, especially stories, in their lives: https://astridlindgrenmemorialaward.wordpress.com/2015/12/17/children-need-art-and-stories-and-poems-and-music-as-much-as-they-need-love-and-food-and-fresh-air-and-play/
I just discovered you! You are a godsend. Thanks for the article from David Ulin; It makes a lot of sense. looking forward to full retirement and to reading all the books I’ve set aside. Your blog is on my list of things to follow and read. I hope someday to have my own blog…
God bless!
Thank YOU, Elodia! I was glad to discover Ulin too. Do you know that he’s just come out with a very small book about walking the sidewalks of LA as a way to get to know the city? Yes–walking the sidewalks in the driving capital of the world!
I just got your reply and it caused me to reread your bio. I read the synopsis of your book, “Daughters of Song” and it sounds like my kind of story. I plan to start reading it on my trip to Australia…thanks for the kickstart. Will also check into the new Ulin book.
Regards.
Many will disagree with some very erudite reasons but to me “computers are the death knell of society”. Bring back the 50’s ! A time when “things”(spoken,listened to,acted on, felt,thought, ad infinitum ) meant something…sad in a way that others likely may never experience as they go about “texting” away their lives.
I realize I am using one as I read and type this morning.”exception proves the rule”?. I know that’s reaching but maybe ‘some’ truth in it.