Are we alone in thinking that VS Naipaul is having a bit of nervous breakdown? He’s been a bit ranty on the subject of appreciation and himself. Like all geniuses, he believes he’s underappreciated and unloved. We are going to send him a copy of Wilco’s “Misunderstood”. He’ll enjoy it.
Seriously, what is the point of trashing authors like Thomas Hardy, Ernest Hemingway, and Jane Austen? So they’re not his cup of tea. And they’re dead — no way to defend themselves. And he clearly didn’t get the concept that was Northanger Abbey:
“I thought halfway through the book, ‘Here am I, a grown man reading about this terrible vapid woman and her so-called love life.’
Luckily, books don’t talk back. Maybe it’s the kind of week we’re having, but we strongly suggest that someone needs a little time out.
Technorati Tags: VS Naipaul, Jane Austen, Thomas Hardy, Ernest Hemingway, Northanger Abbey
3 responses so far ↓
Kevin Holtsberry // Mar 30, 2006 at 9:52 am
Well, as long as we are confessing here I couldn’t finish A House for Mr. Biswas. I know a lot of people liked it, but I just couldn’t get into it.
David Thayer // Mar 30, 2006 at 4:57 pm
Thank God he hasn’t read Carmen Elektra.
Kirsten // Apr 2, 2006 at 6:59 pm
Personally, I don’t mind him being cranky. He’s old, he’s got his Nobel. Annie Proulx’ sour grapes column in the Guardian after Crash won Best Picture struck me as more distasteful, yet even that was fascinating — the way a truly established writer can be publicly Naughty and the media’s response is complete indulgence . . .