My Dad, again. He hates your favourite author. Well, not really…
I just about gave into temptation today and bought a book off the best seller list. All the literary pundits are high on the author. Every few year it happens to me. I forget what is important and get swayed by all the hype about and author. Today I was good and didn’t give in. In the past I have given in and bought what is best described as dribble. I won’t name any names on the fear of offending you because the author is your favourite. There have been some real stinkers in the past. Yet somehow they stay on the best seller list. I have always wondered if people buy books because it is on the best seller list and never read it? They do get to say , “I have that book.”
To me the important thing about books is the story. Never the author. I have read great stories that are poorly written yet are still favourite books of mine. ie: Bush pilot with a briefcase. It is a biography of Grant McConnihie the man who started Canadian Pacific Airlines. Hollywood Pilot, biography of Paul Manz. Merchanter’s Luck about space pirates. Not written by literary giants but great stories.
I will admit that great writers can make almost anything an interesting read, but is that enough of a reason to read it? Personally I don’t think it is. Yet still I get trapped by all the hype from time to time. It comes from my having the addiction to reading. It is about the only GOOD addiction there is.
Well I have bored you enough with today’s dribble from me.
I totally disagree with my Dad about the author, by the way. We read authors because they’re artists. The failures of great authors hold interest despite the story because they tell us something interesting about interesting people, people who can tell us something about us.
Plus, I get to say snootily, “Oh yes, I’ve read so and so, haven’t you? Ho Ho Ho. You must read so and so.” I like to wear a beret when I do this.
7 Comments
This is really confusing. Ian, why don’t you make an author account for your father here? This way we’ll really know the author. At the end of the entry it is still your name listed.
Anyway, Graham: I agree wholeheartedly. It’s the story that makes an author great - and his luck to be born when the time needs him and to be present where the story takes place (even when the story is just in his fantasy). Not to minimize the talent of the author… It’s just that not all writers are gifted, yet many beautify our lives with stories that keep Hope alive.
Michaela Lica: I am not down on author just high on stories. Yes the alot of the stories that fit the need of the time in our lives don’t come from GREAT authors. they come from people who reach into their heart and sould to tell a story. wether it be fantasy, fiction, or fact it matches our need and enriches our lives.
Ok, now I’m dying to know which authors you tried and found their books to be waste material. Why be kind? Spare no feelings!
Wait a minute. I object. C.J.Cherryh, Merchanter’s Luck, is a respected, established Sci-Fi author. More people may be familiar with her ‘Cyteen’, but Downbelow Station and the companion Merchanter’s Luck are mainstream SF. I might lump in the Pride of Chanur series with the others as far as favorites of mine. But still - Merchanter’s Luck and C.J.Cherryh, in their day, were execellent stories, excellent author, and best selling SF.
I look for follow on novels - such as Vatta’s War (Elizabeth Moon), and the Kris Longknife series (Mike Shepherd) Does that mean I buy the book because of the author? Or because the book is a continuation of a story I enjoy?
Sherri S. Tepper, Robert Heinlein, and Chrstopher Stasheff, though probably prove your point. Much of their early work, and some of the Stasheff story lines (Starship Troupers) are entertaining and enjoyable. Other work got weird for my taste. Some authors I am predisposed to consider a new novel, others the author’s name makes me more wary.
But Merchanter’s Luck, that was pretty mainstream in it’s time, and must have sold well, too. I always lump Merchanter’s Luck with the engaging Downbelow Station. Suppose Downbelow Station was a tribute to H. Beam Piper’s Little Fuzzy?
I loved bush pilot with a briefcase!
Johnny:
It is a fun book. The part with the Kangaroo tendon to fix his knee and how he lossened it up still bring a smile to my face
Brad:
Little Fuzzy is a fun read. Fuzzy Sapiens even better.
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