In the world of the Booker Prizes this week: we reflect on David Lodge's legacy; 10 novels exploring the passage of time; take our Burns Night quiz; and mark your diaries for the IBP longlist reveal
One concerning development after David Lodge's important recognition of the literary market place, is the trend of literary prize committees to favor and reward novels of "relevance" -- so that issues of the moment become the most significant measure of literary value. Novels that propound an ideology in vogue rather than explore complexities often win out. Sound social or political theory is not necessarily great literature. Scholars who study the sociology of literature will have interesting things to say about prizes versus classics, one hundred years from now.
Adore David Lodge. Once I discovered him, I read everything. The other books on the Booker list are excellent, with one exception. II will never understand why anyone liked A Little Life. I have never loathe a book until I read this one.
One concerning development after David Lodge's important recognition of the literary market place, is the trend of literary prize committees to favor and reward novels of "relevance" -- so that issues of the moment become the most significant measure of literary value. Novels that propound an ideology in vogue rather than explore complexities often win out. Sound social or political theory is not necessarily great literature. Scholars who study the sociology of literature will have interesting things to say about prizes versus classics, one hundred years from now.
Adore David Lodge. Once I discovered him, I read everything. The other books on the Booker list are excellent, with one exception. II will never understand why anyone liked A Little Life. I have never loathe a book until I read this one.
Great 💎💕📚💕💎