tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3458341.post5833026431571948094..comments2024-01-06T10:36:04.084-05:00Comments on A Commonplace Blog: A critic’s jealousyD. G. Myershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10659136455045567825noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3458341.post-53604083178167535402013-03-05T05:08:47.820-05:002013-03-05T05:08:47.820-05:00Most literary criticism seems to act as a counter-...Most literary criticism seems to act as a counter-agent to public sentiment anyway. Popular mainstream novels get trashed (often justifiably) while critics feel it's their duty to persuade the public to try more worthwhile offerings - or at least, what the critic deems to be a more worthwhile offering. A handful of books manage to withstand the rigours of both the public and the critic.Aonghus Fallonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3458341.post-83217083291497219922013-03-05T01:12:25.928-05:002013-03-05T01:12:25.928-05:00I came upon A Commonplace Blog several years ago w...I came upon A Commonplace Blog several years ago when doing research on Philip Roth, and I've been reading your writing ever since, to my great enlightenment, esp on matters relating to Jewish literature. You pointed me toward such books as The Believers, The Frozen Rabbi, The Talk-Funny Girl, and the works of Howard Jacobson, just to name a few off the top of my head, wonderfully humane explorations of contemporary life that I would otherwise have missed. Thank you for sharing your critical acumen and making the distinctions that need to be made. FWIW, I continue to read Commentary for its political coverage, but the back of the book has taken a mighty turn for the worse since your summary discharge. I still can't figure out for the life of me why you were let go, nor why some accommodation couldn't have been reached, but that's the journal's loss. I think much less of John Podhoretz for the way this matter was handled. Sic transit gloria. Anyway, you carry on, and Godspeed...Steven Markshttp://newcolordocuments.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3458341.post-47878505743939937902013-03-04T23:57:57.939-05:002013-03-04T23:57:57.939-05:00Well, I found this very funny: "Now imagine a...Well, I found this very funny: "Now imagine a young actor’s announcing his 'immodest' ambition to do community theater."kevinhttp://interpolations.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3458341.post-8720939622564603642013-03-04T17:17:05.207-05:002013-03-04T17:17:05.207-05:00Jealous reviewers ought to cease reviewing. Howeve...Jealous reviewers ought to cease reviewing. However, as a different angle on the subject, many people have argued that academics in English departments are mostly frustrated (jealous)novelists, and some have even trotted out the worn out statement, "Those who can, do, but those who cannot, teach." <br /><br />On a different note, I want to thank you for what you have done over the years: you have provided me with a "lifetime" of reading. In your commentary and your "lists," I have found much wisdom and guidance. After all, in my lifetime, I cannot expect to read all the good books, so I must settle for reading recommended good books and avoiding excoriated bad books. I am currently working on your "historical novels" list, and I remain--by the way--forever wary of Sophie's Choice.<br /><br />Again, thanks. R.T.https://www.blogger.com/profile/13220814349193561823noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3458341.post-695616702474967542013-03-04T17:02:04.040-05:002013-03-04T17:02:04.040-05:00ni don't know this Nazaryan chap but small-min...ni don't know this Nazaryan chap but small-minded people often assume everyone else is small-minded, so they can't believe in, e.g. generosity or dispassionate judgement or professionalism. Iago types.<br /><br />Glad you're still blogging. One thing you're not is petty.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3458341.post-70567846920815181322013-03-04T14:59:54.992-05:002013-03-04T14:59:54.992-05:00Thank God this blog is written by D. G. Myers, the...Thank God this blog is written by <i>D.</i> G. Myers, then.D. G. Myershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10659136455045567825noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3458341.post-19489112943927363652013-03-04T14:22:59.925-05:002013-03-04T14:22:59.925-05:00Reading B. G. Myers is Like Committing Intellectua...Reading B. G. Myers is Like Committing Intellectual Suicide<br /><br />Chris RobertsChris Robertshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03880637684688092502noreply@blogger.com