reading

Posted by Sarah M. on September 16, 1999 at 07:56:26:

In Reply to: Re: Happy BDay JFC??? posted by Gayle on September 15, 1999 at 21:41:07:

:
: : :
: : : : Done for who? made some poor college and high school students miserable is what! I personally go with Samuel Clemens'view on this one-

: : : Dear Elfe Child,

: : : High school and college students were not nearly so miserable about it in the days when they could read.

: : : Regards,

: : : Gayle

: :
: :

: : I was told that during the era when Cooper was writing authors were paid by the word. Would certainly explain some of the wordiness that many seem to hate. Might have been a quicker way to get out from under his debts. Can anyone confirm if this is
: : true?

: : Jayne

: I don't think that was why he wrote so extensively. He had many, many thoughts and ideas that he wanted to convey, and he spilled them out just as he thought them. Editors, in those days did not cut and pare as they did in later years. Dickens was another one who used the novel form as a place to record history and comment on social and political problems, and there are many who find his books laborsome, as well. ( Naturally, he is another one of my favorites. Is that a collective groan I hear?)
:
: Well into the 1900s, when Thomas Wolfe wrote "Look Homeward, Angel" and the rest of his novels, I understand his manuscripts were delivered to his publishers in several large steamer trunks. Even after a monumental job of reading, sorting and choosing, his books were extensive, to say the least. However, he was another author who had much to share for those willing to immerse themselves in his stories.

: I think it's just a matter of whether one enjoys really plumbing an author's thinking or just wants a quick read. Depending on my mood and how much thinking I want to do, I go either way. And sometimes it's nice to simply relax and watch a movie. I try to respect the fact that there are different tastes and approaches, even though they may not agree with mine. There's something for everyone in the world of the arts, thank goodness.

: Gayle

Gayle,

You've forgotten that for today's highschoolers, even Cliff Notes are too long, too hard to read!! I thoroughly enjoyed the works of Jane Austin, who I admired for her ability to articulate great sentances and paragraphs, to tell stories. But today, students need books a la Hollywood. Short sentances, no substance...

LHK,
Sarah

Follow Ups:

• Re: reading Chris 09:11:10 9/16/99 (3)
  • Re: reading Jayne 21:05:51 9/16/99 (0)
  • Re: reading MMMMarcia 13:32:32 9/16/99 (1)
    • Re: reading Gayle 20:13:35 9/16/99 (0)

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Comments:
: : 
: : : : 
: : : : : Done for who? made some poor college and high school students miserable is what! I personally go with Samuel Clemens'view on this one-

: : : : Dear Elfe Child,

: : : : High school and college students were not nearly so miserable about it in the days when they could read.

: : : : Regards,

: : : : Gayle

: : : 
: : :  

: : : I was told that during the era when Cooper was writing authors were paid by the word.  Would certainly explain some of the wordiness that many seem to hate.  Might have been a quicker way to get out from under his debts.  Can anyone confirm if this is 
: : : true?

: : : Jayne

: : I don't think that was why he wrote so extensively.  He had many, many thoughts and ideas that he wanted to convey, and he spilled them out just as he thought them.  Editors, in those days did not cut and pare as they did in later years.  Dickens was another one who used the novel form as a place to record history and comment on social and political problems, and there are many who find his books laborsome, as well. ( Naturally, he is another one of my favorites.  Is that a collective groan I hear?)
: :  
: : Well into the 1900s, when Thomas Wolfe wrote "Look Homeward, Angel" and the rest of his novels, I understand his manuscripts were delivered to his publishers in several large steamer trunks.  Even after a monumental job of reading, sorting and choosing, his books were extensive, to say the least.  However, he was another author who had much to share for those willing to immerse themselves in his stories.

: : I think it's just a matter of whether one enjoys really plumbing an author's thinking or just wants a quick read.  Depending on my mood and how much thinking I want to do, I go either way.  And sometimes it's nice to simply relax and watch a movie.  I try to respect the fact that there are different tastes and approaches, even though they may not agree with mine.  There's something for everyone in the world of the arts, thank goodness.

: : Gayle

: Gayle,

: You've forgotten that for today's highschoolers, even Cliff Notes are too long, too hard to read!!  I thoroughly enjoyed the works of Jane Austin, who I admired for her ability to articulate great sentances and paragraphs, to tell stories.  But today, students need books a la Hollywood.  Short sentances, no substance...

: LHK,
: Sarah


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