The New York Times has an interesting feature called By the Book in which well-known writers answer questions such as these:
What books are currently on your night stand?
Who’s your favorite fictional hero or heroine?
What kind of reader were you as a child? What childhood books and authors stick with you most?
Whom do you consider the most underrated or underappreciated writers, past and present?
You’re hosting a literary dinner party. Which three writers are invited?
Which books do you find yourself returning to again and again?
Disappointing, overrated, just not good: What book did you feel you were supposed to like and didn’t?
Interesting questions indeed, and it's fascinating to see to what degree the answers given correspond to my own choices.
May I be permitted to strike a sour note? Thank you.
First of all, it so happens that the "well-known writers in question have themselves just brought out a new book, so a cynical soul might suggest that the title of this series be changed to "Buy the Book".
Secondly, every effort is made to foster the impression that the authors toss off their answers to the questions listed above, as it were and so to speak, off the cuff. I was at first quite dazzled by their brilliance until it occurred to me that these interviews were in all probability scripted, that is to say the list was sent out well in advance so that the writers had plenty of time to polish their "improvised" replies.
Which just goes to show that writers, good or bad, are always competent actors.
What books are currently on your night stand?
Who’s your favorite fictional hero or heroine?
What kind of reader were you as a child? What childhood books and authors stick with you most?
Whom do you consider the most underrated or underappreciated writers, past and present?
You’re hosting a literary dinner party. Which three writers are invited?
Which books do you find yourself returning to again and again?
Disappointing, overrated, just not good: What book did you feel you were supposed to like and didn’t?
Interesting questions indeed, and it's fascinating to see to what degree the answers given correspond to my own choices.
May I be permitted to strike a sour note? Thank you.
First of all, it so happens that the "well-known writers in question have themselves just brought out a new book, so a cynical soul might suggest that the title of this series be changed to "Buy the Book".
Secondly, every effort is made to foster the impression that the authors toss off their answers to the questions listed above, as it were and so to speak, off the cuff. I was at first quite dazzled by their brilliance until it occurred to me that these interviews were in all probability scripted, that is to say the list was sent out well in advance so that the writers had plenty of time to polish their "improvised" replies.
Which just goes to show that writers, good or bad, are always competent actors.
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