on writing
Mar. 2nd, 2009 06:25 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
jawnbc A true artist asked me, what writing moves me (or somethin' like that...'twas more out of a conversation than a direct question):
Now there's a lot of that. In terms of books, I'll pick two fictions and one non-fiction. Albert Camus's "The Stranger" introduced to so many ideas: resistance, critical thinking, autonomy, our underestimated reliance on environment for our destinies. More importantly the book left me able to say "I don't have to accept what I have been taught is right or wrong; in fact, I have to consider these things for myself." For a 16 year-old homo, this was a lifesaving moment of clarity. It's also a great novel: brief, gripping, discussion provoking.
Another fiction would be pretty much every short story Alice Munro has ever written. Munro cranks out these mundane, clear bits of narrative that deftly articulate the complexity and contradictory experience of living. Many writers endeavour to do this and either: a) present a false voice; or b.) offer only superficial insights. I prefer short stories to novels, always have. For me no one can touch her in the genre. Not even close.
In terms of non-fiction, the lifework of Pierre Bourdieu trumps all social theorists. Probably because his theory of economic/social/cultural capital explains my life and its twists and turns. I was lucky to have been schooled (a bit) in the classic liberal tradition: it's advantaged me ever since. Were I to have kids in my close life I'd be dragging their arses to museums, operas, the symphony, and they'd be in French immersion. AND they'd study abroad during their undergrads...all things that were foreign to me until my 30s.
Now there's a lot of that. In terms of books, I'll pick two fictions and one non-fiction. Albert Camus's "The Stranger" introduced to so many ideas: resistance, critical thinking, autonomy, our underestimated reliance on environment for our destinies. More importantly the book left me able to say "I don't have to accept what I have been taught is right or wrong; in fact, I have to consider these things for myself." For a 16 year-old homo, this was a lifesaving moment of clarity. It's also a great novel: brief, gripping, discussion provoking.
Another fiction would be pretty much every short story Alice Munro has ever written. Munro cranks out these mundane, clear bits of narrative that deftly articulate the complexity and contradictory experience of living. Many writers endeavour to do this and either: a) present a false voice; or b.) offer only superficial insights. I prefer short stories to novels, always have. For me no one can touch her in the genre. Not even close.
In terms of non-fiction, the lifework of Pierre Bourdieu trumps all social theorists. Probably because his theory of economic/social/cultural capital explains my life and its twists and turns. I was lucky to have been schooled (a bit) in the classic liberal tradition: it's advantaged me ever since. Were I to have kids in my close life I'd be dragging their arses to museums, operas, the symphony, and they'd be in French immersion. AND they'd study abroad during their undergrads...all things that were foreign to me until my 30s.
