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| Hearsay: |
The Afterword has followed up it’s list of over-rated Canadian writers with a list of under-rated writers. A couple of these I agree with, but it’s mostly people who have decent recognition within the critical community, but no public recognition. And they’re mostly older. Whither Zoe Whittall? Whither Derek McCormack? Peter Darbyshire? Sean Dixon? Sina Queyras? Elizabeth Bachinsky? Not enough years put in to judge?
We chose also to focus on underrated authors because it’s important to bear in mind that there is a huge wealth of worthwhile literature being written in this country. Unfortunately, the vast majority of it flies under the radar due to limited marketing budgets, the increasingly poisonous blockbuster mentality that is infecting publishing, and an overwhelming number of books being published. With such a deluge of material, consumers need guidance; where better to look than award winners and well-regarded books? But, the overinflation of certain reputations tends to crowd out others that are equally (if not infinitely more) worthy of attention.
With one exception, the authors on this list don’t have the same recognition factor as those on the previous list (and the one exception is notorious for all the wrong reasons). However, while they are heterogeneous in style, subject, and approach, they share in common a vivacity and willingness to push the boundaries of language and form. And they make reading a joy, not a chore, which is something sorely lacking from much of our fiction these days.
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August 25th, 2010 at 8:28 am
The older and more prolific a strong writer gets without being noticed, the more underrated (s)he becomes, n’est-ce pas?
August 25th, 2010 at 8:44 am
And what do you mean by “older,” George? 4 out of 10, by my count, are under 50. Seems more than fair weight to younger writers.
Elizabeth Bachinsky’s a very good poet with an incredible formal range, but she isn’t under-rated. She’s only 34 and her three books have been award-winning, critically lauded and have sold well, by poetry standards. Her rating pretty well matches her accomplishments.
August 25th, 2010 at 12:29 pm
I’m actually pretty much in agreement with the list generally, though I’d add Eden Robinson, Sandra Birdsell (though she may be someone with ‘have decent recognition within the critical community but no public recognition’), MAC Farrant, Tony Burgess, Jan Zwicky (also perhaps like Birdsell et al.), and Michel Basillieres (though he’s onll written one novel).
August 25th, 2010 at 12:30 pm
geez, type much? sorry about the typos.
August 25th, 2010 at 3:22 pm
How ridiculous to waste space with this sort of most over-rated/most under-rated silliness. I’ll read Erin Moure and Yann Martell if I want to and the Post can suck it. Its basically a source of media hype (the National Post) bitching about media hype. The alternative could be just writing well about good books.
August 25th, 2010 at 4:46 pm
I thought the list was pretty much spot on – and was particularly pleased to see Blaise, Smith and Glover. Here’s hoping that this little exercise is extended to look at the most overrated/underrated writers who are no longer with us.
Must say I agree with the points raised by messrs Beattie and Wells. And Aaron, I do see what you mean; I’d be tempted to add Michel Basilières for Black Bird alone.
August 26th, 2010 at 12:14 am
Craig Davidson
There’s also the issue of practically every YA writer and SF writer in the country.
August 26th, 2010 at 12:21 am
The most over-rated list was rather superficial and read like sour grapes. Dismissing talented writers out of hand with vitriol makes me doubt the source more than take their opinions on bard. Been there. Been guilty of it.
Different books speak to different people. This is their function and is pretty amazing when you stop to think about it – an abundance of ideas and perspectives given for next to nothing. Way to go human race. It’s one of your finest achievements.
August 26th, 2010 at 9:32 am
All “Top 10″ lists are arbitrary.
August 27th, 2010 at 10:18 am
Thanks for the shout-out. I do think Beattie is being fair with his equation. Russell Smith is my age but he was publishing back when I was … I don’t even know what I was doing.
Also, Beattie as a critic has laboured to show support for many of us who fly under the radar, so I can hardly feel overlooked.
(I appreciate the mentions here of Jan Zwicky too.)