Writers And Critics

Yesterday I read the bio of Grace Metalious, the author of the controversial best seller Peyton Place. I read that twenty five after her death the town where she came from still hadn't forgiven Metalious. Why? Because she revealed that behind the sometime idyllic image of small towns, there was stuff happening that were never mentioned out in public (wife beating, cheating, etc.). Ms. Metalious was simply telling the truth.

I have read how many writers were villified by critics because they did not write in the style that was conventional during the time. Jack Kerouac was constantly panned by critics yet his books are still influential today. His best seller, On The Road, Why? Perhaps he actually lived and experienced life rather than intellectualize about it. Kerouac also touched on subjects that were taboo such as drugs and sexuality. Herman Melville's Moby Dick did not sell with the public or with critics though it was a well written book. Like Kerouac, he experienced and lived life.

I admit I am loathe to criticize other writers. I can think of books that I didn't enjoy reading but others did. The same thing is true with music, actors, plays, politicians, cities, etc. I guess what bothers me is when people's biases taint both the author and the reader. Fortunately, Herman Melville had a second career as a poet. His novels such as Typee and Bartleby are underrated.   I tend to gravitate to writers who are brilliant in their craft and yet never got the recognition they so richly deserved.