Great interview. Particularly appreciated his if one reads something so good, it makes them want to stop writing, that it should compel them to keep on and continue their writing.
It’s a good question - one I wish I’d asked, and yes, I think funny isn’t taken seriously, if you know what I mean. A bit like horror - as Stephen King should have won every big prize going for Pet Semetery but it’s not thought of as a big serious book. Equally Cold Comfort Farm should be taught alongside Middlemarch.
Yes. It is a good question. And there may be some bias. (Agree with you about Stephen King too.) I do have the urge to point out that Ducks, Newburyport is very funny though!
Great interview. Particularly appreciated his if one reads something so good, it makes them want to stop writing, that it should compel them to keep on and continue their writing.
Talking of funny... is there a bias against funny books in the industry?
It’s a good question - one I wish I’d asked, and yes, I think funny isn’t taken seriously, if you know what I mean. A bit like horror - as Stephen King should have won every big prize going for Pet Semetery but it’s not thought of as a big serious book. Equally Cold Comfort Farm should be taught alongside Middlemarch.
Yes. It is a good question. And there may be some bias. (Agree with you about Stephen King too.) I do have the urge to point out that Ducks, Newburyport is very funny though!
Helen Lederer set up the Comedy Women in Print prize because she noticed funny books never win awards.