Sorry SF Litquake, Toby Young is more talented than Dave Eggers. A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius is not as good as How To Lose Friends and Alienate People.
But why do I say that? I say that because the most difficult thing to do as writer is come to terms with yourself. And although you could say that Eggers is just as introspective, he hides behind a shield of "heart" that Toby Young is unafraid to strip away.
It kills me when writers or artists refuse to acknowledge their own selling out. And Eggers definitely HAS sold out. When they try to hide the glee which comes from success. At least acknowledge that you love it. That you want to capitalize. Recognize your own greed instead of trying to distance yourself from your own emotions as if to say "I am NOT smug, just reflective."
Eggers hs done great things with his success and that makes him the better person for it. But purity suffers when you agree to a buy-out. Toby Young is still alienating people.
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1 comment:
It's an interesting conundrum, isn't it? A writer writes to be read. He gets read--a lot. Then his fan base collapses--because he's good and gets read a lot.
To write for love is to be a rare, rare individual. They exist, and have existed, and some have become very successful. Some have not sold out, but their followers may still claim that, having confused the messenger with the masses who follow him.
The best of luck to you and this blog. I look forward to reading more from you soon.
Best--
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