I haven’t read Munro, but after reading your comments, Marjorie, I’m just going to delete her from my “to read” queue. Reading, for me, at this point in my life, is for pleasure and a bit of learning thrown in.
The other day, someone, somewhere on Substack wrote “Of course words are magic! That’s why they call it SPELLing! (caps mine) Adverbs are powerfully descriptive words. Go ahead, m’dear. Toss those adjectives into the cauldron and whip up some more of your wonderful magic on the page!
I wouldn't remove her from your TBR just yet. I was only about 1/3 throught the collection when I wrote that. She drops into a scene, almost like an observing ghost, who just witnesses it unfold. There's no set-up and little explanation, very ltd flashback. She's letting the reader see the humanity in the actions and dialogue. Maybe don't buy an entire book but instead find one or two stories to read and sample. She's an important and talented writer. I see that. But give me Charles Dickens or George Eliot any day!
I was going to say that I enjoyed Alice Munro's short stories and then realised I meant Alice Walker. I'm all for the adverb, though. I do see how some say 'adverbs weaken prose' but that's only if language isn't specific and direct but it can be direct with adverbs. Great post. Thanks for sharing, Marjorie.
Like everything in life, "all in moderation." Glad to keep you thinking about either Alice Munro or Alice Walker. Have you read Walker's "The Flowers"? If not, google it, its a two page short story that is astonishing.
I just looked up “The Flowers” and read it and wow! What a powerful and sad story. I’m most familiar with the story of “Everyday Use,” which was a favourite of mine (as I’ve aged I’m more a “user” than “preserver”) but to be as sparing a writer as Walker yet conveying so much would be brilliant. 😅
I love the turn in The Flowers. How the protagonist is young and seeing all the pretty flowers. And how the language changes after the turn. So brilliant--a master.
I haven’t read Munro, but after reading your comments, Marjorie, I’m just going to delete her from my “to read” queue. Reading, for me, at this point in my life, is for pleasure and a bit of learning thrown in.
The other day, someone, somewhere on Substack wrote “Of course words are magic! That’s why they call it SPELLing! (caps mine) Adverbs are powerfully descriptive words. Go ahead, m’dear. Toss those adjectives into the cauldron and whip up some more of your wonderful magic on the page!
I wouldn't remove her from your TBR just yet. I was only about 1/3 throught the collection when I wrote that. She drops into a scene, almost like an observing ghost, who just witnesses it unfold. There's no set-up and little explanation, very ltd flashback. She's letting the reader see the humanity in the actions and dialogue. Maybe don't buy an entire book but instead find one or two stories to read and sample. She's an important and talented writer. I see that. But give me Charles Dickens or George Eliot any day!
I was going to say that I enjoyed Alice Munro's short stories and then realised I meant Alice Walker. I'm all for the adverb, though. I do see how some say 'adverbs weaken prose' but that's only if language isn't specific and direct but it can be direct with adverbs. Great post. Thanks for sharing, Marjorie.
Like everything in life, "all in moderation." Glad to keep you thinking about either Alice Munro or Alice Walker. Have you read Walker's "The Flowers"? If not, google it, its a two page short story that is astonishing.
I just looked up “The Flowers” and read it and wow! What a powerful and sad story. I’m most familiar with the story of “Everyday Use,” which was a favourite of mine (as I’ve aged I’m more a “user” than “preserver”) but to be as sparing a writer as Walker yet conveying so much would be brilliant. 😅
I love the turn in The Flowers. How the protagonist is young and seeing all the pretty flowers. And how the language changes after the turn. So brilliant--a master.