living writers

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i've been thinking about hunter s. thompson the last few days, and mourning his passing, and that got me to thinking about which authors i have been profoundly affected by, and which of those are still living. Who has made a significant impact on you?

― degan, Wednesday, 23 February 2005 16:44 (twenty years ago)

A lot of those who have affected me most are still alive - especially a lot of PoMo types, Barth and Erickson top of that bunch for me. Updike, Spark. Is Grass still alive? Delany, and more recently I'd add Mieville in that genre. Oh, I could list dozens, but I'm not sure where to draw the line between 'profoundly affected' and just favourites.

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Wednesday, 23 February 2005 18:56 (twenty years ago)

Jackson Mac Low passed away last year, and he was a pleasure to read, a insipration to write, and a very good person the few times I met him. Ted Berrigan died young, when I was eight and he was around 40, and that has always upset me, since I probably would have met him (I have known enough people who knew him). There are more.

― Casuistry (Chris P), Wednesday, 23 February 2005 19:34 (twenty years ago)

David Lodge

― Mr. Jaggers, Wednesday, 23 February 2005 22:16 (twenty years ago)

I used to be a big David Lodge fan, but I have steered clear of recent stuff. The last one I read was Therapy. What do you recommend, Mr. Jaggers?

― Aged P (Ken L), Wednesday, 23 February 2005 22:45 (twenty years ago)

While I enjoyed Thinks..., it is not my favorite. I'm just starting Author, Author, and Lodge seems to be in fine form so far. If you haven't read the trilogy Changing Places, Small World, and Nice Work, those are the ones I'd recommend first, with Small World being the funniest book I have ever read. I'll add that I have 2 friends who have a special liking for Paradise News.

― Mr. Jaggers, Wednesday, 23 February 2005 23:27 (twenty years ago)

OK, I'll come clean. I read the trilogy- loved first two, didn't like third as much. Have read all the early stuff. Have read a few of his books of criticism and thought they were excellent. Went to a reading he gave of the first chapter of Paradise News at the late Books & Co., but didn't get an autograph because I knew I didn't want to buy the book. Have felt vaguely guilty ever since.

― Ken L (Ken L), Wednesday, 23 February 2005 23:43 (twenty years ago)

E. L. Doctorow and Kurt Vonnegut, both mean a lot to me. The first speaks a voice a find familiar everytime I read any of his novels. And Vonnegut is always a beacon of light, especially in these times of darkness...

― misshajim (strand), Thursday, 24 February 2005 14:05 (twenty years ago)

Samuel Delaney. I hope I get a chance to hear him speak or something before it's too late.

― Jordan (Jordan), Thursday, 24 February 2005 15:48 (twenty years ago)

Chris P. has met him, as I think he said somewhere here.

― Ken L (Ken L), Thursday, 24 February 2005 20:27 (twenty years ago)

I was all "I could talk about having met him here, but why? I don't need to be all bragging."

But there you go.

― Casuistry (Chris P), Thursday, 24 February 2005 21:26 (twenty years ago)

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