What Are We Looking For in a Modern-day Novel? by David A. Ross
What are we looking for in a modern-day novel? The answer to that question is admittedly as varied as the diverse tastes exhibited by today's readers. When we encounter a newly-published book in a recognizable genre it is easy to compare it with others we have read in the same genre. But what about when we encounter a book that is decidedly outside the box? In that case analysis becomes much more difficult, and certainly much more subjective.
All too often we seek out what we already like and understand—a natural enough habit, I suppose. But in the end it seems that those books that are highly creative and highly original—those that defy easy description and categorization—are the ones with the real staying power. Those are the books that define new paradigms in literature.
Such books often are slow to gain traction in the marketplace, and furthermore they often suffer merciless criticism by reviewers whose preconceived expectations are not met. There have been countless examples of this throughout the history of the printed (and now the digital) word. Necropsy In E Minor by Alan Ramon Clinton may be such a book. It is unorthodox in both content and style, even by today's most "literary" guidelines. Watching early reviews come in for this book have been, to say the least, interesting. Even the most astute reviewers confess a degree of confusion and have admittedly read the book a second time. Still not sure what to make of it, they have given it due praise as well as an average of three stars. Just what that ranking actually means is anybody's guess, but I take it to mean that even after careful reading the book has them wondering exactly what it is they have read. Kudos for Clinton, because I am quite sure that that is exactly his intent.
To be fair, I must here identify myself as the book's editor. Which means that I have not only read the book with extreme care, but that I have also made a few critical decisions concerning content and style. So it can be assumed that I have spent considerable time with the book, getting to know it perhaps better than an average reader—even a careful one—might come to know it. Am I confused? I'd be dodging this essential question if I did not admit some confusion. But that is also what fascinates me about 'Necropsy'. As a writer myself, and as the book's editor, I find that I, like many of the initial reviewers, recognize Clinton's exceptional talent and skill as a writer, and I would not rule out a third and/or fourth reading of this book in an attempt to understand both the storyline and the author's intent in greater depth.
Necropsy In E Minor was shortlisted for the Dundee International Literary Prize. That's a pretty prestigious award, and one can only assume that the competition was stiff. Even as such, this book is probably not for the average genre reader or the reader looking for a light read while on vacation. Not that the novel is without humor - precisely the opposite is true. Clinton's hapless and clueless character offers us a look at ourselves standing quite naked in front of our mirror. And his use of humor is both sophisticated and slapstick. And like ourselves, his character twirls in ever-expanding circles trying to reach some undefined nexus, some point of realization. His nemesis is his own conscience. Sound familiar?
To close this note I will quote some of the book's earliest reviewers and book bloggers, some of whom quite cleverly picked up on Clinton's unique style to further stylize their own review, and perhaps you will be intrigued enough by their comments, as well as mine, to take a crack at Necropsy In E Minor. You may find it a rather insoluble puzzle, but I promise you will not be bored.
From the reviews...
"Phew, you certainly do have to put a little work in when reading Necropsy In E Minor. Often I wondered whether I had read the sentence correctly as I couldn't make head nor tale of it and so would re-read and re-read. I would start reading a section and feel confident knowing who, what and where only to find half way down a page we had been transported to a completely different universe which left me wondering who, what, where?
Writing a review on Necropsy is certainly a challenge. I want to say this is a brilliant piece of work, very well thought out and written but I also want to say I found it hard to read, confusing, too clever for it's own good and, oh, where was I? But then I come across sentences such as "The floor of the hospital felt like sand underneath a foot of water" and stop and think and be back to 'isn't it a great piece of work?' and then I ramble and stumble and wonder if I am asleep or awake. Oops there I go..now where was I?
So, I shall fall on both sides of the fence - legs over there and head over here. It is meant to be this way I think and is how the narrator and author maybe would like it..? It isn't often I finish a book and am still left wondering whether I liked it or not...I think I did though, eventually..."—Lili Wren, review from Amazon.co.uk
" I was not sure if I liked this book or not by the time I was done reading it. I tend to have a strong appreciation for those writers who choose to relay their tale in stream of consciousness form, which I certainly appreciate of Clinton's writing. I felt that, much like anyone's thoughts, there were moments that were profound, some that were beautiful, and many that were vague. With such indirect bits of story and wisdom, it is necessary for the reader to be patient and take the time to really read this book. While I feel that there is much to be pondered on from Necropsy, a second read would likely heighten my understanding -- and possibly, enjoyment-- of this book."—LibraryThing Early Reviewer
"Poignant anecdotes of the author's childhood, including the humiliation of witnessing with his parents in a rusty beater of a car, his brother's roommate's suicide, and the drama of a mouse and subsequent attainment of his cat Sanity, infused humanity and humor into the cerebral mix. This is not a book written linearly and wrapped up as a pretty package at the end, but interwoven with surrealistic imagery and language like a thick, savory stew."—LibraryThing Early Reviewer
Necropsy In E Minor is available from the following sources:
Open Books Direct
Amazon.com
Amazon.co.uk
Barnes & Noble
Apple iBookstore
What are we looking for in a modern-day novel? The answer to that question is admittedly as varied as the diverse tastes exhibited by today's readers. When we encounter a newly-published book in a recognizable genre it is easy to compare it with others we have read in the same genre. But what about when we encounter a book that is decidedly outside the box? In that case analysis becomes much more difficult, and certainly much more subjective.All too often we seek out what we already like and understand—a natural enough habit, I suppose. But in the end it seems that those books that are highly creative and highly original—those that defy easy description and categorization—are the ones with the real staying power. Those are the books that define new paradigms in literature.
Such books often are slow to gain traction in the marketplace, and furthermore they often suffer merciless criticism by reviewers whose preconceived expectations are not met. There have been countless examples of this throughout the history of the printed (and now the digital) word. Necropsy In E Minor by Alan Ramon Clinton may be such a book. It is unorthodox in both content and style, even by today's most "literary" guidelines. Watching early reviews come in for this book have been, to say the least, interesting. Even the most astute reviewers confess a degree of confusion and have admittedly read the book a second time. Still not sure what to make of it, they have given it due praise as well as an average of three stars. Just what that ranking actually means is anybody's guess, but I take it to mean that even after careful reading the book has them wondering exactly what it is they have read. Kudos for Clinton, because I am quite sure that that is exactly his intent.
To be fair, I must here identify myself as the book's editor. Which means that I have not only read the book with extreme care, but that I have also made a few critical decisions concerning content and style. So it can be assumed that I have spent considerable time with the book, getting to know it perhaps better than an average reader—even a careful one—might come to know it. Am I confused? I'd be dodging this essential question if I did not admit some confusion. But that is also what fascinates me about 'Necropsy'. As a writer myself, and as the book's editor, I find that I, like many of the initial reviewers, recognize Clinton's exceptional talent and skill as a writer, and I would not rule out a third and/or fourth reading of this book in an attempt to understand both the storyline and the author's intent in greater depth.
Necropsy In E Minor was shortlisted for the Dundee International Literary Prize. That's a pretty prestigious award, and one can only assume that the competition was stiff. Even as such, this book is probably not for the average genre reader or the reader looking for a light read while on vacation. Not that the novel is without humor - precisely the opposite is true. Clinton's hapless and clueless character offers us a look at ourselves standing quite naked in front of our mirror. And his use of humor is both sophisticated and slapstick. And like ourselves, his character twirls in ever-expanding circles trying to reach some undefined nexus, some point of realization. His nemesis is his own conscience. Sound familiar?
To close this note I will quote some of the book's earliest reviewers and book bloggers, some of whom quite cleverly picked up on Clinton's unique style to further stylize their own review, and perhaps you will be intrigued enough by their comments, as well as mine, to take a crack at Necropsy In E Minor. You may find it a rather insoluble puzzle, but I promise you will not be bored.
From the reviews...
"Phew, you certainly do have to put a little work in when reading Necropsy In E Minor. Often I wondered whether I had read the sentence correctly as I couldn't make head nor tale of it and so would re-read and re-read. I would start reading a section and feel confident knowing who, what and where only to find half way down a page we had been transported to a completely different universe which left me wondering who, what, where?
Writing a review on Necropsy is certainly a challenge. I want to say this is a brilliant piece of work, very well thought out and written but I also want to say I found it hard to read, confusing, too clever for it's own good and, oh, where was I? But then I come across sentences such as "The floor of the hospital felt like sand underneath a foot of water" and stop and think and be back to 'isn't it a great piece of work?' and then I ramble and stumble and wonder if I am asleep or awake. Oops there I go..now where was I?
So, I shall fall on both sides of the fence - legs over there and head over here. It is meant to be this way I think and is how the narrator and author maybe would like it..? It isn't often I finish a book and am still left wondering whether I liked it or not...I think I did though, eventually..."—Lili Wren, review from Amazon.co.uk
" I was not sure if I liked this book or not by the time I was done reading it. I tend to have a strong appreciation for those writers who choose to relay their tale in stream of consciousness form, which I certainly appreciate of Clinton's writing. I felt that, much like anyone's thoughts, there were moments that were profound, some that were beautiful, and many that were vague. With such indirect bits of story and wisdom, it is necessary for the reader to be patient and take the time to really read this book. While I feel that there is much to be pondered on from Necropsy, a second read would likely heighten my understanding -- and possibly, enjoyment-- of this book."—LibraryThing Early Reviewer
"Poignant anecdotes of the author's childhood, including the humiliation of witnessing with his parents in a rusty beater of a car, his brother's roommate's suicide, and the drama of a mouse and subsequent attainment of his cat Sanity, infused humanity and humor into the cerebral mix. This is not a book written linearly and wrapped up as a pretty package at the end, but interwoven with surrealistic imagery and language like a thick, savory stew."—LibraryThing Early Reviewer
Necropsy In E Minor is available from the following sources:
Open Books Direct
Amazon.com
Amazon.co.uk
Barnes & Noble
Apple iBookstore
No comments:
Post a Comment