The writosphere is aflutter after Stephen King said, in an interview with USA Weekend: “The real difference is that Jo Rowling is a terrific writer and Stephenie Meyer can’t write worth a darn. She’s not very good.”
After some further thoughts on Erle Stanley Gardner (King: “terrible”), Jodi Picoult (good), Dean Koontz (good and bad) and James Patterson (bad), King said further:
“People are attracted by the stories, by the pace and in the case of Stephenie Meyer, it’s very clear that she’s writing to a whole generation of girls and opening up kind of a safe joining of love and sex in those books. It’s exciting and it’s thrilling and it’s not particularly threatening because they’re not overtly sexual. A lot of the physical side of it is conveyed in things like the vampire will touch her forearm or run a hand over skin, and she just flushes all hot and cold. And for girls, that’s a shorthand for all the feelings that they’re not ready to deal with yet.”
The whole situation is not without its irony. After Stephen King won a National Book Foundation award for “distinguished contribution” to American letters (and surely books as well), the critic/professor Harold Bloom wrote in the Boston Globe:
“What [King] is is an immensely inadequate writer on a sentence-by-sentence, paragraph-by-paragraph, book-by-book basis. The publishing industry has stooped terribly low…”
Aside from putting books in the news, which, hi, doesn’t happen very often, this whole spat raises some interesting questions. Or rather one interesting question: who decides what is good anyway?
Is it the readers? After all, if Meyer is so successful she has to be doing something right. And in this world of American Idol, everyone fancies themselves an expert. But surely there is some difference between commercial success and artistic merit, right? Are we ready to crown the most successful books the “best” books?
Is it the critics? Should we leave “good” to the people who devote themselves to sifting through the books and movies and decide what’s good and bad? Surely there’s something to be said for expertise, right?
Is it the writers? Who knows better than the people who are actually writing the books, right? Or do they?
Is it the scholars? Yesterday’s potboilers are today’s classics. Yesterday’s drivel is today’s unappreciated genius.
What do you think?
Anonymous says
I wouldn’t want to be a book critic and an author at the same time.
Aubrey says
I think something we are all forgetting about Twilight is the narrator is a 16-18 year old girl. Obviously not the stuff of great text.
All in all, I think they are good books because I enjoyed them. But everyone is able to have their own opinion.
One man’s trash is another mans treasure, and vice versa.
escape2earth says
You’ve already made the point I was going to make. Twilight may not be on the same level as The Vampire Chronicles but at the same token – does it need to be?
It’s not a mistake that her books have gained this much attention and a movie.
King is entitled to his opinion, but not everyone has to agree. She’s writing to a certain audience and it doesn’t include successful authors in their 60s.
Anonymous says
At least SK didn’t go off like Christian Bale and start cursing a four minute spew of hatred.
Oy.
God, the whole world needs a hug.
(I wasn’t the one that asked the question, but I love your def. of “deep writing,” Nathan, especially the profound part.)
candicekennington says
I think there are a lot of different ways for a book to be “good.” It all depends on your expectation. If I had picked up Twilight expecting a new American classic, I would have been undoubtably disappointed. But I didn’t have that expectation. I picked it up expecting a fun, unique love story. So, with that in mind, I thouroughly enjoyed it.
My comment about what Stephen King said would be, Why did he even need to say it? Oviously there’s a place in the literary world for someone like Stephenie Meyer, she has her strenghts, which he himself recognizes. So, what’s the point of tearing down a young author who found unexpected success with a unique idea.
I guess I’m an idealist. I would just be happy with a little more civility in the world.
Laura says
Heh, I like the post that said she didn’t like a 16 year old with a 100 year old vampire, yet, 16 year old Marianne Dashwood ends up with Col. Brandon, most likely in his 30’s and Emma Woodhouse ends up with Mr Knightley who held her as a baby.
I’m not a fan of Stephen King’s I find him to be wordy, macabre, and just not very well written.
This is so subjective everyone has their opinions and not everyone will agree with them.
Anonymous says
Wouldn’t it suck to be a 100 years old, gorgeous, look like a 17 year old, and be expected to date someone your own age, when there was no one your age?
Guess that’s why we call it fiction.
B.J. Anderson says
It’s the reader. If someone reads a book and it’s not good enough to tell another reader about, it’s going to bomb. Then it doesn’t matter how “good” it was.
JTF719 says
De gustibus non est disputandum. “In matters of taste there is no dispute.”
Robin Constantine says
This is definitely subjective. While my inner teen LOVED the Twilight Series, there were several times the writer in me stopped and thought “hmmmm, some editing here”.
Whatever gets someone to crack open a book and stick with it is pretty magical, so yes, Stephenie Meyer must be doing something right!
Allegory19 says
Thanks Nathan – I love this thread – why? Because it’s the same question I’ve been asking myself. I love the Twilight series, but it’s not the best writing; I think any writer can agree to that. I remember telling this to my sister, who at first couldn’t believe I was bashing the beloved series, until she realized what I was saying was true.
Bottom line – People love a good story. The reader drives the market. We don’t need compelling literary works, touching memoirs or change-the-world novels – we just want a good book that makes us forget the rest of the world for a couple of hours.
We all read books for different reasons and entertainment is definitely one of these.
Anonymous says
I agree with Stephen King that Stephenie Meyer’s writing is not fantastic. She does, however, tell a good story. The plot and the pacing are great and her writing is servicable. That’s okay. I really don’t think anyone is reading her books because they are looking for lyricism.
As for who decides what is good, everyone has their opinions and each opinion is as valid as the next. That is, as long as the person has actually read the books.
Stephanie says
It’s all subjective but I’m very disappointed in King. That was unprofessional and cruel. One would think, after all the criticism he’s been through, he’d be more sensitive to it. Seems like a little professional jealousy to me.
Erin Jade Lange says
sorry i’m too lazy to read through all the comments, so i hope i’m not being repetitive, but i think we need to clarify what we mean by “good writing.”
meyer wrote a page-turner, no doubt about it. however, after i turned the last page of the last book, i promptly gave it away, because i found her vocabulary limited and her plot anti-climactic.
on the other hand, kerouac’s “the road” isn’t exactly gripping, narratively, but i underlined passages in nearly every chapter, because the way he turns a phrase moves me.
to me, the latter is good writing, but who am i to say?
Fat Eddie says
Mr. Bransford,
I just found this site and wanted to say it is amazing. You are doing a very good thing for anyone interested in listening.
About the books, King said it himself, it is a good story. That should count for enough for it to be considered a good book.
A Paperback Writer says
Whoa!
Regardless of who is or isn’t a good writer, there’s fault in your logic, Nathan, if you claim that Meyer (or presumably anyone else) must be doing something right if she enjoys sucess. Hitler was successful in what he wished to do. So was Jack the Ripper. And we could go on.
This claim you make would NOT work in any written argument. It sounds more like the sort of thing one gets in a sales pitch.
Adam Heine says
Readers, critics, writers, or scholars.
I’m strongly against critics and scholars defining what is good. In fact, I think it’s none of the above.
There is only one person who can decide if a book is good or not: ME. If I don’t like it, who cares what anyone else thinks (and vice versa)?
Stace says
I think beauty is in the eye of the beholder. And good writing is in the ear of the reader.
D.A. Riser says
It reminds me of how we used to lump the old video games into two categories, playable versus pretty.
The playable ones didn’t always have the prettiest graphics, but everyone enjoyed them much more. The critics, however, praised the clunky games with all the graphics.
Meyer’s books read well. Literary works read “pretty”. I’ll take Meyer and a book that reads well over one that just looks good.
Caroline Steele says
Depends on your criteria. I think that King writes more compelling prose AND more compelling stories, but I also happen to enjoy horror more than paranormal romance. And I believe there are plenty of writers better than both of them. The quality of a writer, in my mind, has very little to do with their success.
Richard Lewis says
I’ve come to the wisdom that hermits in caves spend a lifetime seeking:
There are two types of people, those who are for something and those who are against it, and nothing’s going to change their minds.
Amy B says
Wow! I am laughing at myself right now. I’m a regular reader of Nathan’s blog, a long-time fanstasy and sci-fan, LOVE Stephen King, Harry Potter…and now I love Twilight. I guess I just have low-brow taste (except for your blog, Nathan, which is so clever and well-written it intimidates me as a writer!) I sell short stories on a regular basis, I’m 34 years old, happily married, mother to two young children, and while I do agree her writing itself isn’t what writer-people call good writing– my God, people, I’ve read the first three books in two days. I do think SK’s comments are ironic, because in On Writing (don’t know how to italicize that, sorry) he is clear that it’s really all about the story in the end– and she’s got that part down. (Now if only she could cut the dialogue attribution a bit– but it wouldn’t read the same, truly!) Anyway, just wanted to repeat that it’s not just the girl teens out there who enjoy the story– I know many 30 and 40 year old moms (women, yes, romantic women, I suppose) who do, too. In fact, they were the ones who recommended it to me. Of course, my husband now has to read them to understand my references. I used to teach middle school (reading, no less, haha!) and I think this simply takes the group that fell in love with Harry Potter and is growing up with them, bringing in a lot more angst and sexulity, no matter how under-the-water it is. No one had better tell me what happens in book four, either. I’m stalking the mailman until I find out.
sharonedge says
Who decides? The reader, based on what he or she likes. Critics are readers. Scholars are readers. Writers, we hope, are readers.
Readers do listen to the opinions of others. Just as a Democrat might listen to Carville and a Republican to Limbaugh, readers finds the experts whose opinions most mirror their own.
Genre matters, too. I don’t care for pure romance. No matter how talented a romance writer is, I’m probably not going to read that writer’s latest masterpiece. I’ve decided without reading it that I’m not going to like it.
I’m a reader, so I decide–with a little help from my chosen experts.
Anonymous says
Romantic women are the best kind aren’t they? Even if they are middle aged. And I also know dozens of women and teens and men who have read Twilight and loved it. My daughters 35 year old single male teacher (and yes he is hot and definiely not gay) read it and gobbled down the rest of the books. He probably wouldn’t appreciate the teen hormone thing being applied to him.
Pattie Garner says
Everyone reads at a different level. I love literature that comes in unique forms. Who wants to read the same voice? Sometimes I don’t want to think when I pick up a book. For example, when I read The Note Book it was an easy read…relaxing. Now when I read Pride and Prejudice I needed a dictionary. I love a variety of writing styles… just like I love different personalities.
Heather Harper says
I like King and I like Meyer, so I don’t know what to think.
Anonymous says
Sharonedge
depite what you’ve been led to believe Twilight is not pure romance. There is a plot, monsters, and a few moments you are on edge give the first one a shot then decide. I also hate pure romance, but liked most of them.
Speed Reader says
Wow … 232 comments. I didn’t read them all, so if this has been said or suggested before, sorry for the repetition.
I’d love to see you blog about the different between a good writer and a good storyteller. Because I think Stephenie Meyers is a great storyteller. But obviously she must have *some* writing talent to be able to put the story down on paper and have people love it so much. But at the same time, because of the way her stories draw readers in, maybe that is part of being a good writer? Making people care about a story they didn’t think they would? I can’t tell you how many people I know (myself included) who were hesitant to read her books because we don’t “do” vampire stories. But only a chapter into the book, we couldn’t put it down. Why is that?
SideKick says
My two cents:
(I’m a painter. Sorry, I think in paint.)
I have read and thoroughly enjoyed Twilight and its companions. I agree that the writing could be better. As has been said, story was what made me finish.
To me it’s like art, like paintings. There are beautiful paintings with wonderful subjects that still could use better brushwork, or better use of color/tone/texture. It’s a matter of technique.
But it’s still worth looking at. It’s still good. You can still get the mood of the piece, you can still feel something.
What makes great art? Someone who can take that same subject and have excellent color, excellent tone and texture. Someone who can make a harmony of all the pieces.
I like SM’s work because when I read it I feel something. But, at the same time, I think more could have been done with it.
She has admitted her own faults. “I don’t think I’m a writer; I think I’m a storyteller,” Meyer says. “The words aren’t always perfect.”*
I do wish he had found a different way to say what he said. I don’t disagree, but imo he sounded a little condescending.
*Time Magazine, “Stephenie Meyer: A New J.K. Rowling?”
Vicky says
I blogged about King’s comments yesterday. I found his inarticulate opinions laughable. A number of people think it was a publicity stunt. Regardless, he’s missing an important point. These kids are reading for pleasure.
Consider this. In May 2007, CBS news reported that 8 to 12 year-olds spend $30 billion of *their own money* each year. Companies are spending $17 billion annually targeting this youth segment. If the publishing industry can hook the youth on books now, these kids will likely keep reading. Sounds like hope for the ailing publishing industry to me.
Denise says
The reader is the person who should be given the task of labeling a book (subjectively, of course) good or bad. And truly, that’s what it is: subjective. Should a scholar be allowed to label? Sure, he/she is a reader as well. In SM’s case, however, I doubt she’s looking for scholarly literary acclaim. After all, it IS a YA book, even though many instructors throughout the country are discussing the TWILIGHT phenom and reading the book in their classes.
SM’s books have had millions of readers vociferously agreeing that it’s a good book. So much so that a movie was made to further that success. Many others don’t understand the hype. Sure there were many grammatical errors. I’m not going to belabor the point and discuss whether it was the author’s error or the editor’s. I know quite a few author friends who rant when they’ve gone over their work, made line edits and then see they haven’t been done in the final product. I have also met several editors who have done THEIR job but have become overwhelmed by the extreme amount of work to be done on the story. “There’s only so much one can do” and all that.
I have read both SK’s and SM’s books. (I’m not going to state which I prefer more, since that’s not the topic at hand.) I believe they can both be considered popular fiction in their respective genres. I find it in poor taste that SK chose to snark and say SM ‘can’t write worth a darn’. It reminds me of a quote I’ve read in the past: wealth does not equal taste or class. SK has proven that, in the eyes of many, he doesn’t have the former. And by his inane desire to pontificate, he clearly lacks the latter.
Sure, SK has a column in EW. Sure, he’s a ‘book critic’, but I mean, who’s not? We are all critics when we discuss books with our fellow readers. For those who will aver that King is a ‘professional critic’, who cares? I’ve reviewed books for a well-known magazine for the past two years. I still wouldn’t cheapen myself to go beyond literary critique of a single title and broaden that critique to lambast her abilities to write. (I’d be curious to hear what SK thinks of his own writing. He may have monetary acclaim, but that, by his very admission, doesn’t equate to ‘good’ writing.) Should I loathe a book, I’d mention in detail why the book didn’t do it for me and let the reader decide for his or herself. And in the end, that’s all that matters. What does the reader think? Obviously many readers think it’s well worth their hard earned cash.
Newbee says
When Stephanie wrote her first book it wasn’t for anyone but herself. (Twilight) She had started writing and then stopped. Her sister encouraged her to finish it as a personal goal. She wanted to write something that she, herself would like to read. (How do I know this? …she spoke of it at a book signing of the “Host” here in Salt Lake City)
I don’t think of it as a competition myself; Just telling a story in each their own way. Some people might write better than others weaving stories into a mesh of interlocking ideas.
People have their own ideas of what is good or not. Many prefer looking at sentance structure while others read the story for characters. I think people who decide what is good and what is not are the agents themselves. Without one, your book won’t be published. Unless, you have the funds to publish it yourself. Few are able to do this of course.
I can’t choose myself. I enjoyed reading Stephanie’s books and I understand the draw. I couldn’t be honest with myself if I didn’t say that she is one of the reasons I have began my own writing.
Anonymous says
Anyone who’s taken a Composition 101 course should have no problem tearing Meyer’s writing to shreds. She’s categorically awful.
I actually keep a book of hers in the bathroom because it’s excellent for reading on the pot. You can open it to just about any page and marvel at the hilarious and ridiculous things you find printed there.
Lorelei Armstrong says
I couldn’t get past the first paragraph in the first Meyer book. Ugh. But most of her readers are teenage girls, the same crowd that brings us most of our most wretched musical mega-stars, so I don’t worry that I’m missing anything.
Bane of Anubis says
A good author, IMO, is someone who connects with a large audience. I don’t like Meyer’s writing, but I don’t particularly think King’s or Rowling’s writing is particularly groundbreakingly spectacular either. They’re all good storytellers, but none are “great” writers.
Meyer might not be a good writer, but she is a good author. The stories may be vapid tripe to some, but humanity has been and always will be defined by the plurality and if you can speak to that plurality, more power to you.
Which is why, IMO, some, like Cormac McCarthy, might be “good” writers, but not good authors… McCarthy’s style and technique is definitely recognizable, but it is frequently too abstract and too pretentious to connect on a greater level. (It’s like Darren Aranofsky vs. Michael Bay)
Sure, the world’s probably stupid to fall for the mind-numbing mass appeal of many bestsellers or anything recommended by Oprah, but if that’s what floats the boats, so be it – it ain’t gonna change.
Sheryl says
I think…
1. Stephen King is entitled to speak his opinion… out loud and in print.
2. Stephanie Meyer should be thrilled that he felt the need to comment on her work, not devestated by what he had to say. She wasn’t writing it for him anyway.
3. Critics should stay out of it. Writer to writer critiques take a different tact and tone. And I’m pretty sure King’s not jealous.
L to the Aura says
Personally I don’t feel it’s up to King to decide for the world which authors are “good” or “not good.” It’s so individual, so subjective. Deciding for everyone if a book is good is even worst than making a global comment on how well-written it is, which can also can change depending on the reader. Some people out there hate Harry Potter and the hype of it is completely unwarranted in their humble opinions. Does that mean it’s a bad book? Um, to some people – yes. I’m not sure there’s a categorical imperative here.
Michelle says
I think every point of view has been covered here in the comments! LOL!
It’s funny to me because I just started Twilight and I’m only on page 50, but I just don’t get the major hysteria about this book. Bella has a serious martyr complex which makes her seem rather strange to me and the writing is very dull and slow to get through.
Lara says
Stephen King is an old man and has taken a LOT of criticism in his time, some of it really harsh. I’m interested in his opinion (I thought “On Writing” was brilliant) and I’m glad he was honest. But I was also shocked he was so blunt.
Criticism is GOOD for writers. Learning how to listen to it and use it is a really important skill. King’s writing has changed over the years, and Meyer’s probably will too. It’s important to remember, and King knows this too, that it’s much easier to express an opinion than to write a book. The best critics are those who have done both, but authors often won’t say what they really think to young writers because they don’t want to make tender young talent wither and die 🙂
Lara says
And FWIW, I was also sort of stung by the “girls aren’t ready for sex” and “the vampire touches her hand and she just flushes all hot and cold” remark…partly because it’s so true. But the way he expressed it points up so much about the difference between men and women. It’s wretched to think of the horror of being a teenage girl and have some old guy have an actual valid insight into your embarrassing emotional hesitance about sex. I found the comment mortifying in some untouched corner of my dead and buried teenage girl soul.
And I haven’t even read the Meyer books.
atable44 says
“Popularity is the hallmark of mediocrity.” (Niles Crane, from Frasier)
I’ve never read Twilight but have read the reviews and negative comments surrounding her writing skills, or lack thereof. Many people fall into the same category as she: Dan Brown comes to mind. Even JK Rowling–In On Writing, Stephen King calls her not a terribly good writer, but a great story teller. I ask myself on occasion, would I rather be a great writer or a hugely successful writer? It’s a tough question, but honestly? I’d rather be hugely successful (and then work on my craft later, of course.) It’s okay to not be a great writer and while it’s unfair to criticize a writer for not being something she’s not (let’s face it, mainstream v. literary), she’s a big girl and can likely weather the storm of controversy. If it were me? Criticize away. It’s how we grow. And learn.
JennM says
Let’s face it…she is not trying to write ‘fine literature’ here – she is trying to tell a story and she obviously has done that AND done it well!
Getting ‘technical’ makes no difference to the millions of people who have and will continue to buy and read her books. Is she successful – Absolutely. Is it refreshing and inspiring that she could be so successful without being a literary genius – Yes! Sometimes readers care more about the way the story works, the ease and readability, then about the ‘rules’.
I agree that it is subjective, but obviously a LOT of people (not just teen girls) are enjoying her work! I am a “grown-up” and I have devoured her books. I don’t care if the writing was up to some people’s standards – i enjoyed every bit of it!
latasha says
Ms. Meyer is not that good of a writer but I love her books. I think Mr. King was wrong to down others such as one of my favorites, James Patterson. The only person that can decide what is good is the readers. Don’t get me wrong. I am a huge Stephen King fan but I love all Ms. Meyer’s books and so do others.
lotusgirl says
Whatever she’s done right or wrong in her writing, she got my non-reader unable to put down a book. Stephen King was never able to do that (for her at least). Now she sees that she could like reading. You’ve got to give SM props for that.
I maintain that every author does not need to be James Joyce or Ian McEwan (sorry Nathan, I’m sure that’s a sort of sacrilege). There’s a huge world out there for those who spin a good story and don’t make it too deep. Even for myself–somedays I want to read McEwan and some days I want to read Louis L’Amour and other days I want to read Meg Cabot.
Leis says
I admire King for speaking up–though this must be an embarrassing experience for Meyer, and (probably) potentially cumbersome in the long run for King.
It just goes to show that SUCCESS has many faces, and sometimes an author with a good idea can MAKE it without being ‘stellar’ in his/her craft.
Who decides which book or writing is Good or Bad? We all do in our own way, changing standards, face and future of publishing as we go…
Newbee says
As for the insulting part, I don’t think it was a wise move to say something that others mights see as negative. It never makes you look good. Sorry Stephen…
terri says
Stephen King is the first person to call himself a ‘hack.’ He has for years and has always shown a refreshing lack of ego where his own works are concerned. He presents what lives in his head and then allows the readers to judge. And judge they have . . .
King also put this quote in one of his short stories, “It is the tale, not he who tells it.”
King was offering his personal opinion, as a reader, and as a technician of the art, on the tales of Stephanie Meyer, not on Stephanie Meyer.
As for JKR, I read all the Potter books and then listened to them again on audio (HIGHLY recommended for a whole new and fresh perspective on the stories – they are brilliantly done). I had to force myself to finish Half Blood Prince, but found the last book to be refreshingly brief and to the point. That would be MY opinion and not an observation on JKR as a person.
I think ‘good’ does rest with the readers. The greatest storytelling will find an audience. I also believe the second criteria of ‘good’ is the test of time. Not just the Dickens and Steinbeck, but even novels from the 70s that I still read and enjoy.
WriteWing says
Everyone’s a Critic! I’ve never seen a critic write a great book or write a fabulous screenplay. It’s easy to criticize. Stephan King has sold millions of books- so he MUST have someting that some people enjoy. Personally, I have never read his work. Good writing to me is something that makes me want to read. Simple enough. I do think, however, that Dan Brown is a great story teller, but not necessarily a good writer…and therein lies the rub.
It you are a good storyteller- that is an art form all by itself. BUT, if you can write it eleoquently, beautifully, passionately…. then THAT is truly good writing. I believe good writing is lyical, poetic in its ebb and flow, it carries you along in a caress even if the hero is fighting for his life. It is music on paper. JK Rowling creates a wonderful story, incredible imagination and creativity, marvelous painting of pictures and locations, but… she is writing to a limited audience- at least initially she was aiming at younger readers and therefore this limited her range of concepts and vocab that a child or young reader would not necessarily understand. Not anything bad- just like Meyer- she’s aiming at an audience that is learning about life and I think she does a very good job of enticing young women to read her, to learn and to explore. Reading is growing.
A good book is hard to find. I pick so many books up at the bookstore and turn to page 56 or 87 or 3 and I read….and what I find is poor sentence structure, simple sentence after simple sentence. Emotions are expressed like receipe ingredients in a cookbook and its all rather flat … and published!
Whose teaching English these days? WHAT are they teaching? How can we expect to spawn intelligent, thoughtful, educated and exciting authors if we do not inspire them as children? Simple-minded romance novels are Hot, Hot Hot- but why, why, why? Have we been reduced to eroctic escapism as a means of entertainment- brainless entertainment?
Mediocrity is everywhere – just look around. Its in Hollywood and its in Barnes and Noble…. fight for the beautifully written, the eloquent, the artistic and the entertaining. Good writing should challenge you, entertain you, fascinate you and sweep you away.
That’s what I want to write and that is what I want to read.
Anonymous says
I have to say my own twelve year old daughter never picked up a book and read all of the way through until SM, not even HP with my insistant begging her to give it a shot. Now she reads every book she can get her hands on with the exception of HP, still yet (go figure, I can’t, I loved them.)Sometimes good writing gets in the way of the story, and if bad writing is what it takes to make a good story for my daughter, I’ll take it any day; so IMO that is good writing.
PS I loved them also, along with every adult female that I practically know. Sorry if that makes me wierd, but they pull you into the story so much farther than any book (besides HP) that I have ever read, and trust me I have read lots and lots of books, and many different kinds. Sorry SK we definitely disagree, and so does a whole lot of the rest of the world. I think a lot of people fail to realize how big SM got, because everywhere I go I hear Twilight mentioned, and that was before SK’s comment.
Leslie says
The future decides on what’s a good book and what isn’t. Is Stephanie Myers a “damned scribbling woman”? Is King a hack? Is Borges dull? Is Wolfe hopelessly upper class and snobby?
We are prisoners of history in our reading and writing tastes, and we don’t know what will be loved or loathed 100 years from now.