"Immersion in the life of the world, a willingness to be inhabited by and to speak for others, including those beyond the realm of the human, these are the practices not just of the bodhisattva but of the writer." --Jane Hirshfield

Friday, April 20, 2007

Literature should not disappear up its own asshole

Said Kurt Vonnegut in the Paris Review interview. He was talking about literature being written by people other than English majors, like himself, a chemistry then anthropology major. It's a great interview, and recommended reading as part of the continuing Vonnegut tribute.

He also said, "...we lack...a dependable mass of readers.

I propose that every person out of work be required to submit a book report before he or she gets his or her welfare check."

That works for me. I'd add that every working person be required to submit a book report bi-monthly or have their taxes doubled. Unless they have a note from their kid, saying, "My mom/dad was watching my baseball/soccer/football game/school play/music lessons/etc., and could not finish this book."

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