tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post6351916234520486294..comments2024-03-18T19:41:40.545-06:00Comments on Michael Offutt: The fiction that reflects our troubled timesMichael Offutt, Phantom Readerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10557969104886174930noreply@blogger.comBlogger39125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-48549607438126603512012-01-29T15:44:06.395-07:002012-01-29T15:44:06.395-07:00I can't read those stories. Too dark.
Your hy...I can't read those stories. Too dark.<br /><br />Your hypothesis might be correct. People feel anger and they need to direct it somewhere. The art of an era is related to the mood of its people.Liz A.https://www.blogger.com/profile/16531953467834426316noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-78397355846043762732012-01-28T20:41:39.669-07:002012-01-28T20:41:39.669-07:00That;s a very insightful way of looking at it. Whi...That;s a very insightful way of looking at it. While I enjoyed Larsson's stories, I have a problem with Atwood - I don't empathise with her characters at all, and find her writing style much to dry for me. So while I can empathise with Lisbeth - especially because her own moral code means she doesn't hurt the innocent (and feels guilty when they're hurt by accident, for having come into contact with Lisbeth) - I have a hard time relating to any of Atwood's characters. I like the idea of dystopians because it implies that the world has gone wrong and vigilantes within are working to restore it. But when it's a case of individuals hurting each other in an endless cycle of violence... I don't have much patience for it.Deniz Bevanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17134553551048836979noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-11625994170734056662012-01-28T04:44:31.610-07:002012-01-28T04:44:31.610-07:00Some merit, yes. Their popularity could certainly...Some merit, yes. Their popularity could certainly be linked to the current times. And yet it could also be argued that they are well-written, engaging stories. I believe there's always been an allure for an eye for an eye.<br /><br />As far as my writing, I suppose it depends on the story I'm writing.<br /><br />Great post!Mina Burrowshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14483363743530076604noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-17809505691398988502012-01-27T19:39:58.331-07:002012-01-27T19:39:58.331-07:00I can't read books about rape.
I'm not ...I can't read books about rape. <br /><br />I'm not sure what the trend means. Your post is eloquently written and explores some valid theories. Our media has gotten violent. It's out there, everywhere, if we want exposure to it. Books are reflecting this trend.Theresa Milsteinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03477761307315565259noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-27473535797103847942012-01-27T09:25:24.812-07:002012-01-27T09:25:24.812-07:00i love themes like this, kind of a "who actua...i love themes like this, kind of a "who actually is the monster?" Theme. I'll have to check this outSarah Ahiershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02795455714801965956noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-28043959492552492642012-01-27T03:19:55.739-07:002012-01-27T03:19:55.739-07:00I think humanity as a whole is shifting from a hed...I think humanity as a whole is shifting from a hederitary form of power (kings and queens, family dynasties etc) to a more merit based one, but a lot slower than people would like, and often fake advancements (choose who you like, as long as it's one of these old white guys we'v'e already selected). <br /><br />The problem is when one group has all the power in order for a fairer system only that group has the vote, and why would they give it up? And the people without the power can't do anything about it. <br /><br />As ever, violence seems to be the go to solution.<br /><br />moodmooderinohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01523337588830695638noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-62743948884946403942012-01-26T22:14:00.363-07:002012-01-26T22:14:00.363-07:00I have to say yes, and yes to both your questions ...I have to say yes, and yes to both your questions Mike.<br /><br />And, its peculiar that my 13 year old son and I had a conversating tonight that embodied the concept "justice did not fit the crime". He was in the wrong for his aggressive actions, and duly punished; but I truly wanted him to understand why he should not have punched one kid for hitting his friend. I know; sounds justified. But . .<br /><br />Today's morality does not fit what I was taught 30 years ago. The world is such a different place. But sometimes - like the with the snyopisis of Girl - justice needs to be dealt out by the victim in order not to be "raped" a second time by the judicial system. Victims seem to have to become perpetrators to feel vindicated.<br /><br />Hmm, this is not where I intended this comment to go when I started.<br /><br />You've stirred up quite a controversy in my Mike. I'll have to do some more thinking on this. Thanks for the interesting food for thought.<br /><br />........dholedolorahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08715849844092553699noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-17930862881487462922012-01-26T22:09:03.246-07:002012-01-26T22:09:03.246-07:00maggie's story is far from original, i read at...maggie's story is far from original, i read at least two such, years ago, one in graphic novel form<br /><br />as for stieg larsson's millennium trilogy, of which the girl with the dragon tattoo is the first, it's a very good read... <br /><br />his common-law wife is writing something that may be a fourth in the series, because she co-wrote the trilogy with him and knows the characters intimately<br /><br />unfortunately swedish law prohibits her from getting a cent from the trilogy, since they were not wed... despite having lived together for about half their lives... so all $$$ go to larsson's dad and brother, who reluctantly returned copyright of the characters to her, still without giving her a nickle....laughingwolfhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08873675614347328116noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-1452513699752386662012-01-26T18:56:31.900-07:002012-01-26T18:56:31.900-07:00Fascinating post, and I want to read that story ab...Fascinating post, and I want to read that story about Verna! Sounds compelling.<br /><br />I think that's the case with a lot of serial killers though - they will punish people who did nothing wrong, because of one person in the past who did do something terribly wrong.Trishahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16927558937796802496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-6347618249549375592012-01-26T18:29:14.350-07:002012-01-26T18:29:14.350-07:00I think so. Writing, and other art forms, are some...I think so. Writing, and other art forms, are some of the few outlets were people can express their feelings uninhibited; the shift toward "internal dystopian" seems like a reflection of what's happening around the world right now.Golden Eaglehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08721520451194318436noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-48510901620180919862012-01-26T14:50:44.798-07:002012-01-26T14:50:44.798-07:00What a thought-provoking post. I've considered...What a thought-provoking post. I've considered that questions a lot and in some ways, used the same plot lines in my book. Why? I also don't know. In one of my stories, I wife kills her husband because he continually rapes her.<br /><br />As to your questions: So my question to you is, do you think there is any merit to this hypothesis? <br /><br />I think yes. Of course. Especially because we see it happen all the time. <br /><br />And when you write, do you use your writing as a catharsis for the expulsion of feelings and frustrations that you may live with and can find no other outlet? <br /><br />Yes. Sometimes I do. I write mysteries with killing in it. Would I ever kill someone? No. But, I do take out some of the anger against those who perpetrate harm talked about in the media, in my books. Is that right? Good question.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12160669603997465454noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-46119857201789792172012-01-26T14:43:00.117-07:002012-01-26T14:43:00.117-07:00I saw the Swedish movies of the Girl with the Drag...I saw the Swedish movies of the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo series. Very good & on Netflix.<br /><br />I think it may reflect a very human need to rise up and fight back. Many of my characters are dealt lousy hands and find a way to overcome. Sometimes they go about it wrong. <br /><br />I think that's very human. I think these stories can be a catharsis and show us how to channel that energy more productively. <br /><br />I want to read Stone Mattress now. I enjoy Ms. Atwood.M Paxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14096697282530998519noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-47786742882768444142012-01-26T14:15:44.354-07:002012-01-26T14:15:44.354-07:00You ask two questions of your followers and as suc...You ask two questions of your followers and as such, my answers are:<br /><br />No and no.Huntresshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08155372788872245758noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-40247187797005978392012-01-26T14:04:17.117-07:002012-01-26T14:04:17.117-07:00You've got a point there, but Atwood has leane...You've got a point there, but Atwood has leaned that way all along. It's why I stopped reading her.Alice Audreyhttp://www.aliceaudrey.com/?page_id=4029noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-16706352006583211582012-01-26T13:31:42.060-07:002012-01-26T13:31:42.060-07:00Excellent thoughts, Michael. And I think there'...Excellent thoughts, Michael. And I think there's a lot of merit to what you've said. I wouldn't be surprised if that is accurate. Stories are popping up everywhere where woman are taking revenge on men. Heck, I'm even reading one right now from a CP. So, yeah. I sense a new trend. :)David P. Kinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17259276981865439853noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-12693467827679469392012-01-26T13:26:07.869-07:002012-01-26T13:26:07.869-07:00To answer your questions. Yes and yes. There is a ...To answer your questions. Yes and yes. There is a sense of compressed rage building up within this country and it definitely finds its way into our writing. I write escapes from reality for the same reason many people are writing these vengence and internal dystopia stories.Charlie Pulsipherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08877018077937978788noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-35062704413478588612012-01-26T13:11:43.304-07:002012-01-26T13:11:43.304-07:00I haven't read this book, but it's being t...I haven't read this book, but it's being talked about everywhere. <br /><br />I usually read and write to relate a world of possibility on the more positive side of things. Of course, bad things have to happen, but I like to see the protagonist win in the end.<br /><br />I do think things like this can be interesting to show people "hey- there's a lot of crap out here." I think people do write to share opinions and feelings about certain things and I find that interesting and understandable. However - if it were me, I'd hesitate before I filled the world with more negativity.Leigh Covingtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16377634002477171615noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-55830350931890974422012-01-26T12:30:58.147-07:002012-01-26T12:30:58.147-07:00strong supposition. personally i write & read ...strong supposition. personally i write & read as an escape, to entertain and mostly for a appy ending that real life & drama dont always bring... but it doesnt mean i ignore the bad parts, just need a break from them sometimes. especially when i feel helpless in wanting to do something.Tara Tylerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07587802105993889515noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-50074399093058676392012-01-26T10:39:29.910-07:002012-01-26T10:39:29.910-07:00I believe in method writing - kind of like method ...I believe in method writing - kind of like method acting - where I do my best to think and feel like my pov characters as I write. So if I wrote a tale from a victims pov then I would probably feel the things my character felt.Rusty Carlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09887821877521181811noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-1336096997121912922012-01-26T10:17:14.763-07:002012-01-26T10:17:14.763-07:00Writing is absolutely cathartic for me! Good and b...Writing is absolutely cathartic for me! Good and bad feelings just spill onto the page. In fact I find I do my best writing when I'm in some kind of high or low :)Angela Cothranhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09243582290698922119noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-64265934617228984062012-01-26T09:28:15.088-07:002012-01-26T09:28:15.088-07:00Like any artist, I use experiences to create an ar...Like any artist, I use experiences to create an art that uplifts or entertains people. Actually, I'm pleased if I make people feel or think anything at all. I can't say I feel better afterwards; this is just who I am.stephen Hayeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17659054447637207734noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-52875627126886376952012-01-26T09:24:22.849-07:002012-01-26T09:24:22.849-07:00I think you have a really great point. Part of its...I think you have a really great point. Part of its rise I think is catharsis, both on the parts of the authors and on the audience's part. Both are agents living in the current economically chaotic climate this world finds itself in. We're all humans. When we have an inability to effect change in our lives, we can at least feel vicarious satisfaction in fictive justice being served. <br /><br />I believe that creative arts simultaneously are impacted by the world in which they arise and also impact that world. The movie <i>Wag the Dog</i> I think is a good example of that. I remember seeing placards with "Wag the Dog" in protests around the world during the initial Afghanistan invasion in 2003. It became shorthand for the belief in illegitimate war. But, as well, the 1993 book on which the movie was based came out of the disillusionment with Papa Bush's Desert Storm escapade. The circle was thus complete (insert Darth Vader joke here).<br /><br />The danger in this is that we can start to confuse art and reality, thinking that a measure of justice served in fiction equates to actuated justice in real life. That is just not so. But with the increasing wave of fear-based media, fewer and fewer people are willing to take the risks to enact real change, and instead bask in the virtual change these kinds of stories offer.<br /><br />A very thought-provoking post.REINHARDT!https://www.blogger.com/profile/01809613551100700183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-83311306834803932452012-01-26T08:53:56.361-07:002012-01-26T08:53:56.361-07:00I think these types of stories are popular because...I think these types of stories are popular because we always love to play what-if: What would I do if I'd been wronged in a horrible way and had the power/resolve to fight back? Would I fight back in the worst way if I could? <br /><br />The average person living in the USA isn't going to face that decision in their lives (thankfully), so it's an exercise in fantasy. In horrible frame-by-frame recounts, we all see the news stories about horrible crimes. We rarely get to live out the counter: a step-by-step account of the victim getting even. Truthfully, true justice is an elusive thing. <br /><br />Just my thoughts.<br /><br />EJAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00273059558675234923noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-47873707143483194562012-01-26T08:50:00.754-07:002012-01-26T08:50:00.754-07:00@A Daft: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo? You prob...@A Daft: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo? You probably can get it at any library if you don't want to buy it.<br /><br />@Amber: The Atwood story is online. I put the link in the post.<br /><br />@Charlie: Good to know!<br /><br />@Cindy: I don't like Law & Order all that much. They all seem to be the same.<br /><br />@Misha: You may be right.<br /><br />@Dezmond: LOL oh poor Rihanna. She gets no love from the Hollywood Spy.<br /><br />@Grumpy: I don't think people like football because of the violence. It's a great spectator sport. Things are easily explained. There's enough halting in the action to allow for commercial breaks. And the score keeps going up unlike hockey (where four points is a lot).<br /><br />@Ciara: It's pretty gritty.<br /><br />@Julie: That was my point.<br /><br />@Stephanie: Oh great minds think alike.<br /><br />@Brinda: That's probably the evidence I was looking for.<br /><br />@Em-Musing: Good to know.<br /><br />@L.G.: Atwood's "short story" not novel. It's in the New Yorker and is complete. Takes about 20-minutes to read.Michael Offutt, Phantom Readerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10557969104886174930noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-54512299775669161962012-01-26T08:49:28.924-07:002012-01-26T08:49:28.924-07:00What I'm wondering is if we're heading tow...What I'm wondering is if we're heading toward a full scale class revolt sort of like the French Revolution.Andrew Leonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13964775673414653644noreply@blogger.com