What is literary fiction? Log Out | Topics | Search
Moderators | Register | Edit Profile

Email This Page

  AddThis Social Bookmark Button

AALBC.com's Thumper's Corner Discussion Board » Thumper's Corner - Archive 2007 » What is literary fiction? « Previous Next »

Author Message
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Always_lurking
Regular Poster
Username: Always_lurking

Post Number: 60
Registered: 02-2004

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Posted on Wednesday, October 17, 2007 - 10:29 am:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

So, we keep seeing a call for more literary works, great authors and such. Here is my question. What is your definition of literary?

For me it is somewhat esoteric works that pontificate on the state of the world through storytelling. Maybe it is full of symbolism and underlying stories that link to the bigger picture.

It seems that by nature of my definition, it is not really meant for the masses. There is a level of elitism associated with literary works, a pompous attitude that is there to alienate rather than be inclusive.

What works are considered literary that maybe you do not see as such? IMO, I never really thought of the "Native Son" as being a literary work. It definitely hit a cord for the time that it was published but were they calling it literary back then.

How can we genuinely expect more AA to read more works of literature when the whole environment that they come from does not seem open to regular folk.

Sometime, it is like walking into a high-class restaurant and feeling totally out of place because you did not dress for the occasion.

www.parlezentertainment.com
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Emanuel
Regular Poster
Username: Emanuel

Post Number: 382
Registered: 03-2004

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Posted on Wednesday, October 17, 2007 - 11:25 am:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

Check out this post: http://www.thumperscorner.com/discus/messages/1/28396.html?1185309519
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique

Post Number: 10317
Registered: 01-2004

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Posted on Wednesday, October 17, 2007 - 01:12 pm:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

That was a good post you provided a link for, Emanuel.
But "Always Lurking" did do a good job of articulating the dilemma of black reading habits. And, at this stage, comments and opinions have not ripened into solutions. So, in the mean time, when it comes to black books, we are stuck in a "to each his own" holding pattern.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Emanuel
Regular Poster
Username: Emanuel

Post Number: 383
Registered: 03-2004

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Posted on Wednesday, October 17, 2007 - 01:36 pm:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

I think most literary work involves writing about life's deeper subjects and often using big words to describe them. Some people view certain works as literary while others don't. For me, a good book is a good book. If I have to turn to my dictionary a lot during read it though, it's probably considered literary. As long as it doesn't bore me to death, I'll read the literary works with dictionary in hand.

Can someone list some recent works within the last two years by AA authors that is considered literary? What about "The Known World," or "On Beauty"?
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique

Post Number: 10321
Registered: 01-2004

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Posted on Wednesday, October 17, 2007 - 02:01 pm:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

"New Englandn White" by Stephen Carter was full of big words, but that didn't deter me. It was the sentence syntax that challenged me, but after getting into the flow, I was able to absorb the narrative which was a complicated story about complicated people all woven into a plot that managed to unravel itself. I would call it a literary work because of its prose and college campus setting.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Always_lurking
Regular Poster
Username: Always_lurking

Post Number: 61
Registered: 02-2004

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Posted on Wednesday, October 17, 2007 - 07:14 pm:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

Thanks for that link.

Cynique, I do agree with you about "to each his own." Maybe I am naive, but I think it will work out. That is not to say that we should stop discussing the issue. I think everything combined will create a playing field where all types of writings will exist without one threatening the other.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

A_womon
Veteran Poster
Username: A_womon

Post Number: 1974
Registered: 05-2004

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Posted on Wednesday, October 17, 2007 - 07:36 pm:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

I think everything combined will create a playing field where all types of writings will exist without one threatening the other.


I sure hope so!
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Chrishayden
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Chrishayden

Post Number: 5490
Registered: 03-2004

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Posted on Thursday, October 18, 2007 - 01:34 pm:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

New Englandn White" by Stephen Carter I would call it a literary work because of its prose and college campus setting.

(Almost nobody else would, Praises be to God!)
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique

Post Number: 10335
Registered: 01-2004

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Posted on Thursday, October 18, 2007 - 01:37 pm:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

How do you know?
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Chrishayden
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Chrishayden

Post Number: 5499
Registered: 03-2004

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Posted on Thursday, October 18, 2007 - 02:03 pm:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

How do you know?

(I get around. I asked.

By the way, have you written any kwansabas yet?)
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique

Post Number: 10341
Registered: 01-2004

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Posted on Thursday, October 18, 2007 - 02:04 pm:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

You get your funky panties in a bunch if I dare make an unfavorable comment about kola boof, chrishayden, but you never pass up a chance to bash Stephen Carter because you envy him.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Chrishayden
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Chrishayden

Post Number: 5506
Registered: 03-2004

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Posted on Thursday, October 18, 2007 - 02:25 pm:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

You get your funky panties in a bunch if I dare make an unfavorable comment about kola boof, chrishayden

(I could be as protective toward you..if you would let me)
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique

Post Number: 10345
Registered: 01-2004

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Posted on Thursday, October 18, 2007 - 02:34 pm:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

What would you used as a sword to ward off attackers, chrissy? A wet noodle?
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Chrishayden
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Chrishayden

Post Number: 5510
Registered: 03-2004

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Posted on Thursday, October 18, 2007 - 02:48 pm:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

What would you used as a sword to ward off attackers, chrissy? A wet noodle?

(Haw! It is hardly a noodle--but it might get wet) and sword is a euphemism for it--
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique

Post Number: 10348
Registered: 01-2004

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Posted on Thursday, October 18, 2007 - 02:54 pm:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

A moot point, chrishayden, because I don't need your protection. I'm self-reliant.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Chrishayden
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Chrishayden

Post Number: 5521
Registered: 03-2004

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Posted on Friday, October 19, 2007 - 01:37 pm:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

You're also pretty vacant
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique

Post Number: 10361
Registered: 01-2004

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Posted on Friday, October 19, 2007 - 01:42 pm:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

LMAO. Youre just mad, chrishayden, because I found the idea of you protecting anyone from anything other than yourself ludicrous. Vacant? I think not. I'm quite full of myself and lovin it!

Topics | Last Day | Last Week | Tree View | Search | Help/Instructions | Program Credits Administration

Advertise | Chat | Books | Fun Stuff | About AALBC.com | Authors | Getting on the AALBC | Reviews | Writer's Resources | Events | Send us Feedback | Privacy Policy | Sign up for our Email Newsletter | Buy Any Book (advanced book search)

Copyright © 1997-2008 AALBC.com - http://aalbc.com