13. "RE: query:" In response to In response to 12 Wed Jun-26-02 02:05 PM
<"Clever" as in unwise but arrogant. Smart but not deep>
In truth, Eggers and the whole McSweeney's "movement" makes me ill. I want to kick him in the teeth because he's proven that in this culture, it's enough to be clever. To turn a phrase.
He is the posterboy for the industry credo that "the books are smart but the market is dumb." And whenever I picture Eggers in my mind, I picture the guy smirking.
The reason why there's no Faulkner today is not just because of the MFA programs. It's not just the writers out there that aren't showing courage. It's the publishers, too.
The parallels to the music industry are obvious.
BTW, ever read "A Fan's Notes" by Frederick Exley?