/lit/ - Literature

>>10374362
Fuck your template, all I need is two of the S'awesome for my 3 piece chicken tender combo (fries and unsweetened tea).

>>10367449
This. It's 112 pages and light hearted with the occasional feel.

What the fuck is this?

>>3873059

Read this?

>>2749047

>>2276041
I know that you're convinced that Burroughs is the greatest American writer of the 20th century, etc...

I've seen you on here before championing this shit.

You are incorrect, and I apologise that you won't be able to convince many people of your belief.

Burroughs was what he was, and he isn't even in the top 25 top American writers of the 20th century. Kerouac could even be ranked above him...

I have never even picked up or looked at a fantasy book.

I also have never heard of many of the fantasy authors/books that are posted on here.

I will never read a fantasy book.

So I just finished reading Trout Fishing in American by Richard Brautigun, and I'm not sure how I feel about it.

While it's described as a novel on the front cover, it feels much more like a collection of short stories. Some chapters (or stories) where enjoyable, while it seemed others lacked direction or purpose. Perhaps this was meant reflect a personal or generational sense of purposelessness or lack of direction. However, if it was, I felt it still could've benefited by a narrative or coherent story line.

Anyway, feel free to add your thoughts.

>>1866551
No Brautigan?

>>1859588
>But Chess hasn't changed in centuries, while the dynamic of Magic is changing practically month-by month.

Just as chess hasn't changed in centuries, the human condition never changes. Exploring this human condition and engaging the reader in thinking and feeling things about this are one of the primary reasons for the creation of literature. If the human condition drastically changes, (people become immortal, develop wings, etc...) I'm sure literature would be forced to change with it. As it is, and always has been, we are left with the traditional novel to examine this common burden we all carry.

>And that's the real crux of the matter; a lot of people don't like change, because something that could be worthwhile, interesting, important, or valued one day could lose all of those qualities the next, and that upsets and threatens them. Fantasy is still a relatively "new" genre of writing, and as long as literature and the academics of literature remain rooted in "traditions" elements that have the potential to rock the boat will always remain controversial.

I would argue that the 'crux of the matter' is outlined in my above comment, but I will also say that people very much like change. Things that are valued one day and lose all of those qualities the next have happened over and over throughout history. While this might upset and threaten humans, in the end they are just things and life carries right along. Everyone accepts this. Things that don't change are the fact that we are going to die, our loved ones are going to die, we might be alone in the world, what if there is no god, what if there is a god, what are morals, what is our relationship to nature, etc..?

'Literature and the academics of literature' will always remain rooted in traditions, because these traditions will always be. There is nothing new out there, only the examination of what we know. Artists who are gifted at examining these themes will be discussed and read.

>>1836840
Ray Carver had quite a few gems out there.

>>1832673
I'll agree with this.

>>1606205
If you read the Marcus Aurelius, you win a lifetime of happiness and good living.

Three tips:

1. A N N A L S

2. Commas. They are your friends, use them.

3. Beg TO Differ

P.S. Read The Meditations of Marcus Aurelius and you'll feel better.

>>1187719
Start with Sanctuary just for kicks, then move along.

Maybe you should try a little Brautigan as the prior poster suggested.

>>1172654

Also, 33 here.

>>1144258

Keep trying...

Anniversary of my death yesterday.

>>1043215

Brautigan:02

Second most important.