/lit/ - Literature

People who say “great American novel” are delusional.

Yes, it points out that Americans are increasingly anxious and depressed, but it doesn’t say anything interesting about that. It’s just entertainment. No value.

Is it really that good?

Well?

Thoughts on Jonathan Franzen? Just started The Corrections so no spoilers please, but really enjoying it so far and he is filling that void of 21st century authors. How do his other works hold up?

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Another one I have yet to read

While older novels and now canonical lit are often discussed on this board at a rapid pace, I rarely see more recent writing discussed. I'd like to talk about what books and authors /lit/izens have discovered, who have either published work in the recent past, and/or are currently still writing.

I've tried to focus my own recent reading on finding interesting recent authors. I'm currently reading Franzen's The Corrections (just started it yesterday, about 40 pages in), and am somewhat enjoying it. I thought the introductory chapter was a terrific way to introduce Alfred and Enid without obviously dumping exposition. "The Failure" interested me less, as I find Chip to be a really cliche character, and his objectives throughout the chapter to be kind of goofy. But, I'm interested to see where it goes. Franzen's Prose is fun to navigate, as well.

On a more recently published note, I've been reading some of Ben Lerner's work. I came across a short story of his called Ross Perot and China, and really enjoyed it. I've been looking for his novel Leaving the Atocha Station ever since, but haven't been able to find it. I did, however, find his other novel, called 10:04. It reminds me of a more Americanized version of Mathias Énard's Compass, as they both follow academics who are attempting to navigate their imminent death. Where Compass feels more traditionally written, with a somewhat dreamlike atmosphere, 10:04 draws more from post-modernism, and strikes a much more cynical tone. But, I'm also enjoying it so far. I'm not sure if Lerner is presenting terribly new or groundbreaking ideas, but I definitely think that he presents his ideas in a way that's pleasurable to read.

So, what recent lit have you been reading, /lit/?
How do you feel about the general contemporary landscape?
Is there anything coming out soon that you're looking forward to?