Nice, but a bit of an overstatement. Plenty of short story writers get a lot of respect. Ms. Kennedy is, frankly, just being paranoid.
And what sort of person writes an article in defense of the short story and doesn't mention either Kafka or Borges? Or William Trevor? And talks about, of all people, Melville instead. Tchah!
Veena: I don't know. Much as I love Dahl's work, he comes way down in my list of great short story writers. And Conrad for his short stories I would say is fairly comparable to Melville - some good stuff, but the novels are so much better.
Frankly, I could come up with a long list of great short story writers (and now that I come to think about it, that would be a good blog post) - many of them also great novelists - which is why I don't buy Ms. Kennedy's argument.
I wasn't even aware short stories were in such alleged danger till I read the article :) I didn't agree with everything she said - especially about how critics denigrate short stories, etc. Thought it was an interesting, if somewhat extreme pov. Agree, her list of authors is missing some obvious choices, but perhaps that's down to her personal taste.
hi menaka....i've been a fly on the wall for quite a while after finding you through a friend's blog...you make a great read...keep up the good work...and yes, many congratulations on the Penguin prize
6 comments:
Nice, but a bit of an overstatement. Plenty of short story writers get a lot of respect. Ms. Kennedy is, frankly, just being paranoid.
And what sort of person writes an article in defense of the short story and doesn't mention either Kafka or Borges? Or William Trevor? And talks about, of all people, Melville instead. Tchah!
Or Dahl? Or Conrad? Little disappointing, yes.
Veena: I don't know. Much as I love Dahl's work, he comes way down in my list of great short story writers. And Conrad for his short stories I would say is fairly comparable to Melville - some good stuff, but the novels are so much better.
Frankly, I could come up with a long list of great short story writers (and now that I come to think about it, that would be a good blog post) - many of them also great novelists - which is why I don't buy Ms. Kennedy's argument.
Falstaff: Dahl I agree. Conrad I def think scores above Melville.
Please to do post. Have always been partial to the short story format and would love to see your list.
I wasn't even aware short stories were in such alleged danger till I read the article :) I didn't agree with everything she said - especially about how critics denigrate short stories, etc. Thought it was an interesting, if somewhat extreme pov. Agree, her list of authors is missing some obvious choices, but perhaps that's down to her personal taste.
hi menaka....i've been a fly on the wall for quite a while after finding you through a friend's blog...you make a great read...keep up the good work...and yes, many congratulations on the Penguin prize
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