“Writing saved me from the sin and inconvenience of violence.“
— Alice Walker
Quote of the Week
February 10, 2009 by R.J. MangahasCan’t We All Just Get Along?
February 9, 2009 by R.J. MangahasApparently, Stephen King had a few choice words regarding Twilight Saga author, Stephanie Meyer.
Of course, literary feuds are nothing new.
LITERARY FIGHT NIGHT
This was a case of a mentor/student relationship gone bad. Stein originally had nothing but great things to say about Hemingway, that is until he became a bigger literary star. Stein then wrote a scathing review about one of Hemingway’s book. Papa responded by talking about Stein’s sex life with Alice B. Toklas in his memoir, A Moveable Feast.
The on-going feud between these two egotistical novelists came to a head at a dinner party in New York when Mailer challenged Vidal to a fight and threw a drink in his face. Apparently, the two also came to blows (including slapping and headbutts) backstage of The Dick Cavett Show, before going on the air and engaging in what was called a memorable war of words.
When Wolfe’s novel A Man in Full was published in 1998, the three “literary giants” all agreed that the book was horrible. Wolfe fired back at the trio in a Canadian TV show by calling them The Three Stooges and said that they were jealous of him. “It must gall them a bit that everyone, including them, is talking about me.”
GERTRUDE STEIN v. ERNEST “PAPA” HEMINGWAY
This was a case of a mentor/student relationship gone bad. Stein originally had nothing but great things to say about Hemingway, that is until he became a bigger literary star. Stein then wrote a scathing review about one of Hemingway’s book. Papa responded by talking about Stein’s sex life with Alice B. Toklas in his memoir, A Moveable Feast.
GORE VIDAL v. NORMAN MAILER
The on-going feud between these two egotistical novelists came to a head at a dinner party in New York when Mailer challenged Vidal to a fight and threw a drink in his face. Apparently, the two also came to blows (including slapping and headbutts) backstage of The Dick Cavett Show, before going on the air and engaging in what was called a memorable war of words.
MAIN EVENT
TOM WOLFE v. NORMAN MAILER, JOHN IRVING AND JOHN UPDIKE
TOM WOLFE v. NORMAN MAILER, JOHN IRVING AND JOHN UPDIKE
When Wolfe’s novel A Man in Full was published in 1998, the three “literary giants” all agreed that the book was horrible. Wolfe fired back at the trio in a Canadian TV show by calling them The Three Stooges and said that they were jealous of him. “It must gall them a bit that everyone, including them, is talking about me.”
There you have it just three of the famous literary feuds. To read more, check out Anthony Arthur’s book Literary Feuds: A Century of Celebrated Quarrels from Mark Twain to Tom Wolfe. And for the record, notice there weren’t too many (if any at all) feuds among the crime writing community. :-]
Quote of the Week
February 3, 2009 by R.J. Mangahas“Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved.“
— Helen Keller
Quote of the Week
January 27, 2009 by R.J. Mangahas“Writing is a form of prayer.”
— Franz Kafka
Ba-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-d to the Bone
January 25, 2009 by R.J. MangahasIt’s stuff like this that really makes you wonder.
Quote of the Week
January 20, 2009 by R.J. Mangahas“In three words I can sum up everything I’ve learned about life: it goes on.”
— Robert Frost
Quoth the Raven: "Happy Birthday!"
January 19, 2009 by R.J. Mangahas
It has been 200 years since the birth of Edgar Allan Poe and in honor of that, there are two new books (books make great gifts by they way) out now.
The first is On a Raven’s Wing, an anthology released by The Mystery Writers of America. It features new tales in honor Mr. Poe and his work. Contributors include Stuart M. Kaminsky (who also edited), Mary Higgins Clark, Thomas H. Cook, Don Winslow, John Lutz and the late Edward D. Hoch.
The other book (also from Mystery Writers of America) is a new collection of some of Poe’s work titled In the Shadow of the Master. The stories are followed by essays by some of today’s top writers such as Stephen King, Jeffrey Deaver, Lisa Scottoline, Sue Grafton, Michael Connelly and Tess Gerritsen.
Also, in an earlier post I detailed some of the events hat would be going on in Baltimore as part of a year-long celebration of Poe called Nevermore 2009.
James Earl Jones reciting “The Raven”
Vincent Price performing “Tell-tale Heart” (Part 1)
