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| Hearsay: |
Meh, says she. Why do we line up for prize listed books?* Because we’re told to. And like good Canadians, we likes to be linin’ up, whether fer da books or at da Tim Hortons fer our double-doubles, eh?
Like everyone else, I have followed the coverage and pondered the obvious: When exactly did Douglas Coupland find time to write another novel? Who does Annabel Lyon’s hair? Is Margaret Atwood pissed?
One thing I have not wondered, however, is which of the anointed books to add to my shelf, worthy efforts though I’m sure they are. You read that right: This fall, I won’t be reading any of the books that are nominated for Canadian literary prizes. And I don’t feel guilty about it either.
This is one of her better columns, but my bet is that most of you (ie, “everyone else”), like me, probably didn’t pause to wonder who does Annabel Lyon’s hair. But that’s just a guess. I could be wrong. I could be wrong.
* Better question: Do we (ie, everyone else/Canadians) line up for prize listed books or is it just we (ie, lit types) who line up for prize listed books? ‘Cause I just don’t see the sales numbers jumping on most shortlisted titles.
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October 27th, 2009 at 10:32 am
I like reading some of the books listed for some of Canada’s major prizes not because they may be prize winners, but because I like being exposed to books I might not otherwise know about. And, it isn’t like I’m being lead blindly either. If the book doesn’t interest me, I won’t read it (thank you Joseph Boyden). Prize list or no prize list.
Now. If only someone could tell me who Annabel Lyon is.
October 27th, 2009 at 10:47 am
For the most part, a good-ish article I agree with. Gotta say, though, can McLaren really count herself “an impoverished minority” as a writer of books? She who also wrote, “Forget comfort food, give me comfort clothes”?? Dude, if you live in Toronto and have a steady column for the Globe in which you often write about buying things, I very, very, very much doubt you are “impoverished.”
October 27th, 2009 at 12:21 pm
I do Annabel’s hair. It takes a long time, so I’m very happy someone’s noticed. George, I’ll be in Newfoundland in the spring. I could do wonders with that crimson frazzle of yours.
You’re welcome, Canada.
October 27th, 2009 at 8:22 pm
Leah McLaren’s dumb.
October 27th, 2009 at 8:43 pm
I like checking out the award nominees for the very reason Dave mentioned: to introduce me to Canadian authors I might not have heard about. And McLaren putting herself in the same sentence as the word “impoverished” is painfully annoying.
October 27th, 2009 at 9:14 pm
Steve, I gotta get me some extensions. Can I book an appt?
October 28th, 2009 at 1:31 am
Zsuzsi, you’re in luck. I just got a new glue gun and have an opening on Friday afternoon.
October 28th, 2009 at 5:15 am
No no no, I line up to BORROW the prize books from my friends. Impoverished and all that.
October 28th, 2009 at 1:26 pm
“I just got a new glue gun and have an opening on Friday afternoon.”
Just in time for Halloween!
More to to topic: “The Golden Mean” is a brilliant book, btw. It’s just a bit depressing that all five Giller nominated books look as if the were designed by the same gloomy designer, making them all seem kind of . . .similar. Annable Lyons’ is pretty sui generis, though.
November 6th, 2009 at 10:21 am
Modern publishing appears to have embarked upon group think to deliver the best and brightest in literature. They presume to know the market, what makes a profit and they know what constitutes good writing. The best writing can never be determined by a group and it is their powerful opinion of the moment that determines what is on the book selves.