So, I'm taking a class on the Contemporary Novel. 10% of the grade comes from a paper arguing for the class to read a certain book. The rules are that it can't be part of a series, cannot rely on genre formula (which isn't to say it can't have genre elements), must have been originally released in English in '09 or '10, at least 200 pages, and have at least four substantive reviews.
'Great, Syl. Why not put this in Gen. Lit.?' Well, I'd rather do something with a SF/F angle to it. As many problems as I have with Mieville, I'm leaning towards The City and the City, but... well, I have problems with Mieville.
To give you an idea, the following are the other texts we're doing:
- Richard Yates/Revolutionary Road (1961)
- Toni Morrison/The Bluest Eye (1970)
- Margaret Atwood/The Handmaid’s Tale (1985)
- Ana Castillo/So Far From God (1993)
- Edward P. Jones/The Known World (2003)
- Cormac McCarthy/The Road (2006)
- Claire Messud/The Emperor’s Children (2007)
- Joshua Ferris/Then We Came to the End (2008)
Any suggestions?
Recommend a 'Contemporary Novel.'
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[Syl]
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Recommend a 'Contemporary Novel.'
"It is not the literal past that rules us, save, possibly, in a biological sense. It is images of the past. Each new historical era mirrors itself in the picture and active mythology of its past or of a past borrowed from other cultures. It tests its sense of identity, of regress or new achievement against that past.”
-George Steiner
-George Steiner
Justin Cronin's "The Passage".
ETA: Scratch that, I think it's supposed to be the first part in a trilogy. Sorry.
ETA: Scratch that, I think it's supposed to be the first part in a trilogy. Sorry.
War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things. The decayed and degraded state of moral and patriotic feeling which thinks that nothing is worth war is much worse. The person who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing which is more important than his own personal safety, is a miserable creature and has no chance of being free unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself. John Stuart Mill
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[Syl]
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The Passage sounds interesting, but yeah, don't think it would work. And no worries, Lorin. We're already doing The Road, which, along with The Handmaid's Tale, makes two post-Apoc works.
Murrin, I think the idea is to avoid stuff like the latest Twilight novel, romance pulps, and so on. She did say that the important thing is that it is or tries to be art. My contention with Mievelle has always been that very point.
I'm also considering Wolfe's The Sorcerer's House, but I can't find a single major review outside of genre-specific sources.
Murrin, I think the idea is to avoid stuff like the latest Twilight novel, romance pulps, and so on. She did say that the important thing is that it is or tries to be art. My contention with Mievelle has always been that very point.
I'm also considering Wolfe's The Sorcerer's House, but I can't find a single major review outside of genre-specific sources.
"It is not the literal past that rules us, save, possibly, in a biological sense. It is images of the past. Each new historical era mirrors itself in the picture and active mythology of its past or of a past borrowed from other cultures. It tests its sense of identity, of regress or new achievement against that past.”
-George Steiner
-George Steiner
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Unfortunately I've not read enough new fiction in the last couple years to pick something out. If it went back to 2006 I'd say Shriek by Jeff VanderMeer - not technically part of a series; Weird but with more in common with Nabokov than Lovecraft.
Not helpful, I know.
(Finch was released in 2009, but I wouldn't suggest it because of how very heavily set in traditional noir/hardboiled genre style and voice it is.)
Not helpful, I know.
(Finch was released in 2009, but I wouldn't suggest it because of how very heavily set in traditional noir/hardboiled genre style and voice it is.)
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[Syl]
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Same here. I'd love to do Rant by Palahniuk, but that was 2007. I did see Finch when I was looking through reviews, but I think I discarded it for the same reason.
"It is not the literal past that rules us, save, possibly, in a biological sense. It is images of the past. Each new historical era mirrors itself in the picture and active mythology of its past or of a past borrowed from other cultures. It tests its sense of identity, of regress or new achievement against that past.”
-George Steiner
-George Steiner
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Why can't I think of any recent non-genre novels I've read?
Hmm, you're already reading one by Atwood or I'd suggest "The Year of the Flood".
I'd say Kazuo Ishiguro's "Never Let Me Go", but it's too old.
Haven't yet read Barbara Kingsolver's "The Lacuna," but it looks interesting (to me, anyhow) and it was published this year.
I've mostly been reading crap this year, it seems like. Sorry, Syl. If I think of something I'll let you know.
Hmm, you're already reading one by Atwood or I'd suggest "The Year of the Flood".
I'd say Kazuo Ishiguro's "Never Let Me Go", but it's too old.
Haven't yet read Barbara Kingsolver's "The Lacuna," but it looks interesting (to me, anyhow) and it was published this year.
I've mostly been reading crap this year, it seems like. Sorry, Syl. If I think of something I'll let you know.
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The Notebook, The Proof, The Third Lie: Three Novels
There's no SF angle to those three novels, but I felt a great need to recommend them. Vastly underrated, intense trilogy about two twin brothers separated during World War II.
I also believe my book blurs genres, and it's contemporary (2007), so's.
There's no SF angle to those three novels, but I felt a great need to recommend them. Vastly underrated, intense trilogy about two twin brothers separated during World War II.
I also believe my book blurs genres, and it's contemporary (2007), so's.
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[Syl]
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Sorry, Foul. It's not originally in English, and it has to be 2009 or 2010. Can't do 'print on demand' books either, sadly.
"It is not the literal past that rules us, save, possibly, in a biological sense. It is images of the past. Each new historical era mirrors itself in the picture and active mythology of its past or of a past borrowed from other cultures. It tests its sense of identity, of regress or new achievement against that past.”
-George Steiner
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Oh. You're looking for a specific book for some class. Ahhhh, now I see. I just read the part about the topic title and the "sci-fi" angle. Great book, though, anyway; definitely consider it for your personal library!Syl wrote:Sorry, Foul. It's not originally in English, and it has to be 2009 or 2010. Can't do 'print on demand' books either, sadly.
How about Pynchon's Inherent Vice. I'm pretty sure it was published in 2009, is less than 400 pages and has definitely been reviewed by a bunch of people. There's no sci-fi angle here, but it's the first recent publication that comes to mind.
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If they can get you asking the wrong questions, they don't have to worry about answers.
If they can get you asking the wrong questions, they don't have to worry about answers.
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[Syl]
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In case anyone's curious, I went with The City & the City. Surprisingly enough, the professor chose it as one of six for the class to vote on.
"It is not the literal past that rules us, save, possibly, in a biological sense. It is images of the past. Each new historical era mirrors itself in the picture and active mythology of its past or of a past borrowed from other cultures. It tests its sense of identity, of regress or new achievement against that past.”
-George Steiner
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stonemaybe
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[Syl]
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I find it somewhat strange recommending China Miéville’s 2009 novel The City & the City. Among fans of contemporary science fiction and fantasy, or “speculative fiction” as many in the genre attempt to redefine it, Miéville is a “love it or hate it” kind of author. His previous works set in the fantastic world of Bas Leg, novels such as Perdido Street Station and Iron Council, placed me in the latter category, albeit reluctantly. His penchant for artistic flourishes at the expense of straightforward prose, along with the perception that he strives to be literary first and tell a good story second, seemed out of place. What read as inappropriate there, however, works in The City & The City. I believe that this novel is a good choice for class discussion precisely because of its inventive writing and its literary aspirations. Miéville spins a unique story, one that combines his unique style with a compelling critique of modern social routines.
Some readers may pass on The City & the City because of its author’s association with speculative fiction or the nebulous genre of the novel itself. Their misgivings may not be allayed by Miéville’s choice to label himself as a writer of “weird fiction,” but perhaps they will heed Farley when he says, “Mr. Miéville asks readers to make conceptual leaps and not to simply take flights of fancy.” On the other hand, perhaps the readers may be wary of conceptual leaps, preferring to keep their feet on more concrete textual ground, like Neil Hollands of Library Journal, who seems ready to relegate the book to fantasy aficionados’ shelves, writing, “…this work is more an existential thought piece than a reading pleasure.” If you believe the reviews that call the work eloquent, imaginative, and culturally relevant, if you consider that a rejection like Hollands’ would eliminate respected authors such as Kafka and Vonnegut from literary consideration, why wouldn’t this novel be both intellectually stimulating and an enjoyable read? That is a decision other readers will have to make, but it is for those reasons that I submit China Miéville’s The City & the City for group discussion.
"It is not the literal past that rules us, save, possibly, in a biological sense. It is images of the past. Each new historical era mirrors itself in the picture and active mythology of its past or of a past borrowed from other cultures. It tests its sense of identity, of regress or new achievement against that past.”
-George Steiner
-George Steiner
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stonemaybe
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wow! The Bas-Lag books didn't strike me like that, at all. I thought they were a roller-coaster of action and story-line.His penchant for artistic flourishes at the expense of straightforward prose, along with the perception that he strives to be literary first and tell a good story second, seemed out of place.
Though I agree with the principle - it's the reason I despise Gormenghast.
(Getting very excited now - going to see the first of Mieville's talks tomorrow. Will meet him at book-signing after, but really hoping to bump into him tonight or tomorrow night in a more social setting
)Aglithophile and conniptionist and spectacular moonbow beholder 16Jul11
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Cool. I've never read anything by Mieville, but it's nice to see your prof offering some positive acknowledgement of a sci-fi/speculative/weird fiction writer.
Syl wrote:Judging by this quote, I'd say your paper supporting the book made a difference. Peaks my curiosity anyway. I guess it's time to add Mieville to my to read list.His penchant for artistic flourishes at the expense of straightforward prose, along with the perception that he strives to be literary first and tell a good story second, seemed out of place. What read as inappropriate there, however, works in The City & The City. I believe that this novel is a good choice for class discussion precisely because of its inventive writing and its literary aspirations. Miéville spins a unique story, one that combines his unique style with a compelling critique of modern social routines.
Good luck!
Proverbs for Paranoids #3.
If they can get you asking the wrong questions, they don't have to worry about answers.
If they can get you asking the wrong questions, they don't have to worry about answers.
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[Syl]
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Sadly, my proposal was not accepted by the class. Tied for second place. The class chose Room by Emma Donoghue.
"It is not the literal past that rules us, save, possibly, in a biological sense. It is images of the past. Each new historical era mirrors itself in the picture and active mythology of its past or of a past borrowed from other cultures. It tests its sense of identity, of regress or new achievement against that past.”
-George Steiner
-George Steiner