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Dirda on Books
Hosted by Michael Dirda
Washington Post Book World Senior Editor
Thursday, May 3, 2001; 2 p.m. EDT
This week's topic:
What is your vote for the most underrated/overrated book?
Washington Post Book World Senior Editor Michael Dirda takes your questions and comments concerning literature, books and the joys of reading.
Dirda's name appears weekly in The Post's Book World section. If he's not reviewing a fat literary biography or an ambitious new novel, he's likely to be writing a lighthearted essay about the joys and burdens of living in a house filled with way too many books. Although he holds a Ph.D. in comparative literature from Cornell, Dirda is still smart enough to be an unabashed fan of "The Simpsons," noting that "the show's genius derives from its details." He also loves P.G. Wodehouse, intellectual history, children's books and locked-room mysteries – just the sort of range you'd expect from a Pulitzer Prize winner for distinguished criticism.
These days, Dirda says he spends inordinate amounts of time mourning his lost youth and daydreaming ("my only real pastime"). Otherwise he just reads books and writes about them, with occasional visits to secondhand bookstores in search of treasures. He claims that the happiest hours of his week are spent sitting in front of a computer working on his reviews and Readings columns. "Do not imagine that I regard my taste for literary artifacts as anything but shameless and vulgar," Dirda says, "I have sunk so low as to covet Edward Gorey coffee mugs. I yearn for a bust of Dante to place on a bookcase."
The transcript follows.
Editor's Note: Washingtonpost.com moderators retain editorial control
over Live Online discussions and choose the most relevant questions for guests and hosts; guests and hosts can decline to answer questions.
Alexandria, Va.:
I'm in the mood to plunk down $100 on Amazon and buy some Graphic Novels for beach reading. I've already read "Maus" and "Cartoon History of the Universe." Got any suggestions for me?
Michael Dirda: Welcome to Dirda on Books. For the next hour we'll be discussing reading, reviewing, favorite books, etc. May is probably the hardest month for readers--the sun is shining, the garden needs tending and the grass mowing, it's too early for vacation books, and all nature beckons, asking us to close up those barren leaves. Still, we'll soldier on, even though I'd rather be taking a walk in the woods with Seamus, an oatmeal colored labrador and widely regarded as the finest all round dog of our time.
Graphic novels? First off, why not check out some local comic books stores? There you can at least see what you're buying. In general, though, I'd recommend Neil Gaiman's Sandman series, Frank Miller's Ronin, the Watchmen, Harvey Pekar's American Splendor, and Frank Cho's Liberty Meadows comic. But there are far greater experts on these matters than I. As I say, try Geppi's or some other comic book emporium.
Commonwealth of Elkin:
Hi Mr. Dirda, getting in early today since an interminable meeting was thoughtlessly scheduled during your discussion time by a boss who obviously doesn't read.
And I want to get in on the over/under discussion. Most overrated? Raymond Carver: his stuff was dreck enough, but his influence in MFA programs around the country produced 20 years of rural chic, unexperimental plots and language, and minimalist, ambitionless, and repetitive short stories and novels. And all in reaction to the perceived excesses of postmodernists, the Barths, Pynchons, Coovers, McElroys, Elkins, and yes, the most underrated (I'd rather use the word "unappreciated" because we who know his work certainly don't underrate him) Gaddis. (Any news on "Agape" to share?) As always, thanks.
Michael Dirda: For those new to the show, we've recently been covering various themes--favorite reference works, books to combat melancholy, etc. THis week we're discussing overrated and underrated writers.
I'm not sure we can blame Carver for the excesses and banalities of his imitators. It's rather like blaming Hemingway for changing American prose style. Carver's Cathedral is a wonderful book of stories (just as The Sun Also Rises makes up for any of Hemingway's own later lapses). Certainly, though, Gaddis is underrated: He's arguably the most inventive and dazzling post-war American novelist, with three masterpieces in The Recognitions, JR and A Frolic of His Own (the most accessible and comic). I've heard nothing about his posthumous book Agape, nor has my friend Steve Moore, one of the great Gaddis authorities.
Lenexa, Kans.:
Mr. Dirda, --Not Would-Be-Classics but Seven Personal Favorites:--
Coover, John's Wife--Erotic, clever.
Crumley, The Last Good Kiss--Happiness as the "5th drink in a new town".
Sorentino, The Sky Changes--A nonpareil car trip.
Purdy, On Glory's Course--"Adele was born to be a whore . . . she'll spread her legs until the last trumpet sounds."
R. Banks, The Sweet Hereafter--School buses and motels.
W.P.Fox, Moonshine Light, Moonshine Bright--Good nostalgia.
Bauer, The Book of Famous Iowans--A real tearjerker.
QUESTION: Some were Dirda touts. On the subject of tearjerkers, have you gotten to C. Bronte's Villette? Gaskell's Cousin Phillis? No demerits if you haven't, of course. Thanks.
Michael Dirda: Terrific list. The Crumley is certainly a post-war classic private eye story. You know, I've never read James Purdy, but the sentence you quote certainly makes one want to. Sorrentino is a wonderful writer in general. Do you recall the wonderful list of imaginary little magazines--e.g. The Fargo Catamite--in Mulligan Stew? Haven't read Villette or Cousin Phillis, though myh old boss Brigitte Weeks and a favorite writer, Steven Millhauser, both sing its praises as a novel of loneliness.
Washington, D.C.:
MOST OVERATED: "To Kill a Mocking Bird"
MOST UNDERATED: "The Glassbead Game" (Hesse)
What are your choices?
Michael Dirda: There are any number of books I feel are underrated, though as the Elkin fan just previous said, such books aren't underrated by their admirers. Underrated for me: Joan Aiken, Philippa Pearce, Daniel Pinkwater, Richard Kennedy and Diana Wynne Jones--five great fantasy writers for young people. Also, for grown ups: James Salter, Russell Hoban, William Gaddis, Steven Millhauser, Avram Davidson, Jack Vance, Raymond Queneau.
Overrated? Everything on the best seller list.
Va.:
Recently, I picked out 20 authors who claimed they have Ph.D. I checked in Dissertation Abstracts and only one, John Gray, has no dissertation. His Ph.D. is from a mail-order diploma mill, California Pacific University. Why arn't publishers more careful?
Michael Dirda: I don't know why. On the other hand, he does have a Ph.D.; it's just not from a reputable university.
Washington, D.C.:
Most Overatted: Gore Vidal. His essays are fantastic, but in his fiction he seems to write for a posterity that doesn't exist, and the exceptions to that like Myra & Myron are already quite dated.
Michael Dirda: I tend to agree about Vidal. WHen I reviewed the Collectged Essays a couple years ago, I reread Myra Breckenridge and found the humor strained and unfunny. But Vidal's essays, excepting the politcal ones, do stand up and are joys to reread.
Takoma Park:
Graphic novels:
Stuck Rubber Baby, by Howard Cruise.
Graphic nonfiction:
Scott McCloud's two books on the art of comics, presented as gorgeous comics. Reinventing Comics and I forget the name of the other one.
Some of the best writing about art and creation I know of.
Michael Dirda: THanks. The McCloud I have is about how to read comics. Pretty insightful and fun.
Boston, Mass.:
Mr. Dirda, Most underrated book: Defoe's Robinson Crusoe. Oftentimes relegated to the children's pile, many people miss Defoe's profound meditation on God, money, capitalism, and loneliness. Coetze wrote a great appreciation in his "Foe" which retells the story from a women's point of view. Powerful stuff.
Michael Dirda: Thanks.
Takoma Park:
Dianna Wynne Jones is indeed underrated.
But don't read too many in a row: she is somewhat formulaic, and her evil characters have no shadow of good in them. Witch Week and Howl's Moving Castle are exceptions: there is some shading to the picture.
In any case, she is fun and worth reading. Not Pinkwater, but who is?
My candidate for underrated children's books are the Betsy-Tacy series by Maud Hart Lovelace.
Covers a childhood-through-marriage period for a set of characters in Minnesota, one generation after Little House books. Lovable characters, superb writing, deep insight. Recently republished. Go get them if you have children from 5 through 15 or so.
Michael Dirda: Don't know these BEtsy-Tacy books, but I suspect my kids are already beyond htem. I've just written a piece for our kids issue that is a farewell to children's books.
Washington, D.C. 20036:
Mr. Dirda--
I know this question pertains to last week's topic, but I couldn't help but chime in. Depression is often seen by the person experiencing it as far more existentially or situationally based than it really is. For a long time, I thought my ups and downs were wholly situationally-based -- then I was diagnosed as manic-depressive. Now on lithium, I find the world is a much calmer, more reliable place than I ever thought it was. I very, very highly recommend seeing a psychiatrist if these depressions you experience are more than a fleeting nuisance.
Michael Dirda: THanks. I'm fairly sure I don't have any serious illness, as I've a fairly good idea about what has caused my blues. But I will bear your advice in mind. I have seen a counselor, and he didn't feel I needed any medication, just time and reflection.
Washington, D.C.:
hate to be a party-pooper, but I have to toss Gaddis into the "overrated" pile along with post-Lot 49 Pynchon (yes, V goes in too!), mostly all of Barth, and about any other post-Modernists you care to add. Exception: De Lillo- flawed but briliant Roth looks better and better these days; he's been on a hell of a run the last few years. Bellow too, especially as the Academy doesn't like him. I also like Russell banks, but thought Cloudsplitter inflated. My teen daughters are reading Chabon- the next generation speaks!
Michael Dirda: Well, I've just reviewed the new Roth and it's another stunner. I do think you need to be a) young, b) interested in becoming a writer, c) receptive to difficulty in order to care for Gaddis and Pynchon: They require readers made of fairly stern stuff. Chabon's books go down like syrup--he's a very smooth writer and always enjoyable (this isn't supposed to sound like faint praise). In my review I predicted Kavalier and Clay would win prizes. Your daughters seem to have good taste.
Niagara Falls, N.Y.:
Overrated: any selection in the Oprah book club.
Underrated: Everything by Anthony Trollop. He's better than Dickens and his sense of humor is delicious.
Michael Dirda: Agreed, though Dickens possesses a flamboyance of language to be envied and admired. And that's Trollope.
Washington, D.C.:
Overrated? I second the Carver nomination, but also wish to add "Catcher in the Rye" and "The Great Gatsby," which I am sure many will disagree with. However, I found it difficult to extract any interest (let alone sympathy) with each book.
As for underrated, I feel Sinclair Lewis may have been forgotten, perhaps Dom Delilo in the sense that it seems few outside of acadamia read him, but he seems so much more accessable than most "creative writing workshop" writers.
Michael Dirda: I don't know anybody who reads Lewis much nowadays. Arrowsmith was a staple of high school reading lists when I was young, and I remember liking his political book, It Can't Happen Here. Certainly the opening and close of Elmer Gantry are unforgettable: "Elmer Gantry was drunk. . . And we shall yet make these United States a moral nation." John Crowley once described Babbitt as an underrated book, and ANthony Burgess admired Main STreet. I'mpretty sure that Joyce has a few allusions to Lewis in Finnegans Wake.
Madison, Wis:
One underrated writer is Alan Lelchuk. After his American Mischief made a splash as the first Book-of-the-Month Club main selection with dirty passages, I don't believe he ever had another success. But his books, while sometimes self-indulgent, show true sensitivity and skill.
An overrated writer: Richard Selzer, a surgeon who wrote medically-related essays. His style was widely praised, but I found it pompous and pretentious, never using an Anglo-Saxon root when a Latinate would do, and always calling attention to itself rather than to its subject.
Michael Dirda: Don't know Lelchuk, though I remember the controversy about a scene in which Norman Mailer or his lookalike is sodomized. I agree about Selzer.
Swim-two-birds:
Two underrated books: Denis Johnson's "Resuscitation of a Hanged Man" and Joseph McElroy's "Lookout Cartridge."
And to the reader looking for a graphic novel, Ben Katchor's "The Jew of New York" can't be beat. I also think you'd like this one, Michael (may I call you that?).
Michael Dirda: Sure. I'll look for for the Katchor.
Washington, D.C.:
Mr. Dirda,
I read a cover blurb for "An Equal Music" stating your love for the book. I haven't read it yet and I can't find your review online. Can you tell me what I would enjoy about the book?
Michael Dirda: That blurb was taken out of context. I actually gave the novel a very mixed review, emphasizing how sentimental and contrived it was--but effectively tear-jerky nonetheless. ANd there are some wonderful descriptions of music-making.
Washington, D.C.:
Hello Michael -- You mentioned you're writing a piece bidding farewell to children's books. When will that run? And why are you bidding them farewell?
Michael Dirda: ON May 13. Well, I stopped reviewing kids books a couple years back, except for the occasional title, and my kids have pretty much passed or are passing on to adult books. It's not that I'm giving them up exactly: It's just that the household doesn't really have a pedagogic need for them. I do mention a clutch of kids books I read for myh own pleasure.
North Tonawanda, N.Y.:
I think John Updike's novels are overrated. I consider him a wonderful book reviewer, though.
I can think of hundreds of underrated books but the one that rocked my world when I first read it 35 years ago was Philip K. Dick's DR. BLOODMONEY.
Michael Dirda: I agree about Updike's reviews, but I also like his novels--but then so much of fiction for me is style and language.
The Phil Dick I first fell for was the seemingly underrated Clans of the Alphane Moon.
EG, D.C.:
Underrated: Charles Portis. Everyone knows his "True Grit," if mostly for the movie with John Wayne. But the book is a corker. And no one, save a small cadre of aficionados, knows his other work, especially "Norwood." He's one of the great unknown humorists.
Overrated: Garrison Keillor. He's primarily famous for his radio show for a reason. Forget the books.
Michael Dirda: Keep meaning ot read Portis. Several of his novels were recently reissued.
N.J.:
Mr. Dirda,
I know that you are a fan of some of the better fantasy writers (Crowley, Vance, Wolfe), so I was wondering what your thoughts are about Peter S. Beagle? I've read "The Innkeeper's Song" and "A Fine and Private Place" both of which I enjoyed immensely. I'd put him among your list of favorites. Your thoughts?
Michael Dirda: I've only read Beagle's The Last Unicorn--I think that's the right title. Some wonderfully hilarious moments, others quite touching. He had a long hiatus after this novel--are these later books like Inkeeper's Song really anyh good?
Southern Calif., usa:
Michael, I wasn't here last week but I have to pass to you my depression cure. I am bipolar and when I underwent what I refer to as my "great depression" I read in an almost reflexive way, not remembering what I read, though I know one of the books was "Lonesome Dove". Music lost it's balm, but what really brought me back was watching David Letterman reruns in the afternoon!
Michael Dirda: Hmm, is this a case of the cure being worse than the disease? (THat's a joke, perhaps not in good taste.) In a former period of the blues, I religiously watched Dr. Who at 5:30--it was the best half hour of hte day and I looked forward to it with real eagerness.
New York City:
RE: Graphic Novels
Get some of Dark Horse's volumes of "Lone Wolf and Cub." Great stuff from the Kurosawa mold. Fantastic and thought provoking.
Michael Dirda: thanks
Bangor, Maine:
Hi Mike...good topic..ok..
Most overrated..ANYTHING by Barbara Kingsolver
Late Updike
most underrated
Something Happened by Joseph Heller
Ride a Cock Horse by Raymond Kennedy
Anything by Charles Willeford
Michael Dirda: Charles Willeford. He used to call me Ace and Chief when I'd call him up to do a book review. I have the Hoke Mosley books and THe Burnt Orange Heresy, but I should look for more of those early paperbacks, many of which were reissued I think by Black Lizard. What's so magical about Raymond Kennedy? THat's not mean to sound snide. I don't know his work, though I vaguely recall this book.
takoma park:
Underrated writer:
Canadian Matt Cohen. Splendid variety, got better and better after his experimental beginnings. Died a couple of years ago, sadly, just after publishing one of his best, Elizabeth and After.
Now a question:
You mentioned Equal Music. Do you have other suggestions for books with a classical music/musician theme? I've read Saltzman's about the cello genius and a few others. I've read Jane Smiley's Duplicate Keys on the rock side of the house.
Michael Dirda: Thanks. Any suggestions for music books?
Washington, DC:
Over rated: "The Sportswriter"- Richard Ford
"McTeague"- Frank Norris
Under rated: "Breathing Lessons"- Anne Tyler
Michael Dirda: thanks.
Commonwealth of Elkin:
Ah, out of meeting. Stand by my comments on Carver, though your point is well-taken; he is, in many ways, to contemp American fiction what Ashbery is to contemp American poetry (though two dissimilar minds I can hardly conceive of). Perhaps the tertiary question is what writer's oeuvre has created the largest spawn of wretched imitators. And, re: Carver, it's interesting to see the backlash by po/mos over his backlash over po/mos - the massive complex experimental novel is coming back into vogue. And kudos to the "John's Wife" voter - an amazing book....as always, thanks.....
Michael Dirda: thanks. I guess I'll need to get a copy of the Coover too.
Frederick :
Most overated comic writer:
Roy Blount Jr.
Most underated comic writers:
Thorne Smith
Stephen Leacock
George Ade
Michael Dirda: Yes to Blount, for sure. Haven't read enough Ade. Love Leacock. Fond memories of SMith--need to reread. BEsides Topper, what is your favorite? The night LIfe of the Gods? The Bishop's Jaegers?
Somewhere, USA:
David Foster Wallace seems a tad bit overrated. So does Dave Eggers: I can't decide if he is for real or just a clever self-promoter with limited but flashy chops. We'll see.
Underrated:
Of course, Elkin; Dos Passos; van Tillburg Clark; E.A. Robinson......
Michael Dirda: Yes, Edwin ARlington Robinson definitely an underrated poet. ERos Turannos--what a poem. I love that Clark story, The Portable PHonograph, with its killer last line. Nice list.
Hartford:
Michael,
What is the most exciting "classic" you've read? I'm looking for something along the lines of "The Charterhouse of Parma" (which I loved) to spur my reading for the spring/summer. I like and have read most of Conrad and D.H. Lawrence. Any suggestions?
Michael Dirda: Exciting as in action-packed? Classic, as in schooltime classic? I think Hamlet is really exciting and almost all of Dostoevsky. Have you read Chesterton's The Man Who Was Thursday? Or Somerset Maugham's Ashenden? Perhaps not classic enough, but definitely exciting.
Washington, D.C.:
Since there are so many people that feel the bestsellers are overrated, I thought I'd put down a few that I thought deserved the praise they got: Toni Morrison, Neal Stephenson, and A. S. Byatt. Highly praised and, I think, rightfully so.
Michael Dirda: Ok, good choices. Occasionally good books do make the list.
Alexandria, Va.:
Mr. Dirda--
I know that Faulkner is well known, and many regard him as a great American novelist, but I still feel he is underrated. I think he's perched just below Shakespeare (if one were to rank writers).
His work has aged better than any of his contemporaries' work.
Michael Dirda: Thanks.
Washington, D.C.:
Just a quick divergence into Science Fiction, I felt that Gibson, Sterling, and most especially Rudy Rucker were overrated in the cyberpunk genre (though I will give some credit to them for popularizing it) but I give more kudos to Pat Cadigan for being able to bring character into the genre.
Michael Dirda: Ok. Never read much Cadigan myself.
Alexandria, Va.:
In your children's book piece, how about making a plea for more mysteries for kids? Adult readers gobble them up, but I can't think of any since Encyclopedia Brown.
Michael Dirda: Surely, one could read Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew for most of one's childhood and never run out? How about PHyllis rEynolds Naylor hotel mysteries?
Under and Over: :
Is Maritn Amis underrated in the U.S., but well received in England? your opinion?
And Raymond Carver is certainly NOT overrated! humph!
Michael Dirda: Yes, Amis is well regarded here, but not a force to reckon with, while in Britain he is a lightning rod.
Spring Valley, Calif.:
Since we almost have a reading group here with quite a number of regulars, what about this as a topic: As readers all, what do we do in real life (we know about you!)?
Michael Dirda: It's OK with me, if people don't feel shy about admitting their real identities.
SciFiGirl:
For the graphic novel person, V for Vendetta is amazing, as are the Dark Knight and Batman: Year One.
Michael Dirda: thanks
Frederick:
Mike:
Always liked I Married a Witch. Nightlife is very wicked stuff... he was sort of ahead of his time... what ever happened to that great urban social comedy genre? Things like Mr. Blandings Builds his Dreamhouse? Those witty New York types? A lost world yes?
I bet Nat Hiken holds up well too
Michael Dirda: Who is Nat Hiken?
Alexandria, Va.:
The John Belaris books with such titles as the "Mummy and the Clock" Are some of the best mysteries for kids out there. They still make my hair stand on end today.
Michael Dirda: Oh yes: they are good. The House with a Clock it its Walls. And the library with the motto: Believe Half of What You Read. There are some good audio tapes of these books--ideal for car rides with kids.
Milwaukee, Wis.:
Overrated:
Another vote for Vidal's historical fiction;
his prose is uninspired, wooden; LINCOLN,
for example, written by Vidal in essay form
would have brilliant and sassy, but as a novel LINCOLN is a U.S. history textbook's doppelganger.
Underrated:
(I'm not kidding on this...)
Robert Burton
Anantomy of Melancholy
Now in paper by NYRP.
Why?
Because it's, believe it or not,
funny; like Montaigne's essays are
often delightful and humorous.
Michael Dirda: I love Burton too--I thought Gass's introduciton to the new paperback was kind of dull.
Woodbridge, Va.:
Michael -- someone suggested a few weeks ago "books that have changed your life" for a topic -- think that might be interesting?
Michael Dirda: Let's do that for next week--books that changed your life--along with revelations about our regular's day jobs.
Alexandria, Va.:
Just making a comment on the Graphic Novels front. Frank MIller's Dark Night Returns is possibly hte best out there. I also, recommend "Kingdom Come" A wonderfully done, fully painted Graphic novel based on teh DC universe (batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, and tec.) that only recently came out about a year ago in a complete format. Besdies that your suggestions were top notch.
Michael Dirda: thanks for the compliment and the other suggestions.
Librarygirl, Va.:
Hmmm. I'm about as young (well, mid-20s) and open to experiment and difficulty as it gets (for the most unfortunately flagrant-sounding ex., I think Gertrude Stein is underrated...and Hemingway big-time in debt to her earliest, simplest -in the sense of pure and simple] prose) but I still think Pynchon's overrated...
Overrated kids' book? A new one called "Artemis Fowl" (author Eoin Something), which is being hyped as the next Harry Potter with everything from face-time on Borders' "New Voices" shelf to an already-signed movie deal ("Crack the Code in the book for a chance to win a walk-on in the movie!!!" etc.) to a shameless website. Ugh. It's a bit better than Katie Couric's kids' book, but ouch. Oh yes, and Douglas Florian, who writes poetry for children. His books are beautifully packaged, so they appeal to kids and adults on first sight. But the poems are about as uninspired as it gets.
Michael Dirda: I tried to read some of Artemis Fowl and found it very offputting and cutesy.
Rockville:
Most shamefully underrated fantasy writer
John Collier
Have you read him? Why haven't they made
His Monkey Wife into a movie yet? Will they ever? Seems that so many great past writers aren't sexy enough to be included inthe pantheon.same old names all the time..
Michael Dirda: Oh yes: definitely. I've read all his stories--and even own the Nonesuch edition of The Devil and All. I've tried to get a couple of publishers interestged in paperbacking--again--Fancies and Goodnights. Wonderful gin and tonic fizz to his humor.
Washington, D.C.:
Great Graphic Novel -
Chris Ware
Jimmy Coorigan, the Smartest Boy on Earth
Michael Dirda: thanks.
McLean, Va.:
Underrated? I'll second the "True Grit" nomination -- very funny, very true, and much superior to the movie.
Overrated? At the risk of incurring the wrath of Roth-lovers, "Portnoy's Complaint" is a waste of time.
Michael Dirda: Ok.
Norge, Va.:
For the person looking for music in fiction, I created a reading list of music in fiction for the Williamsburg (VA)Regional Library (I'm a reference librarian there). The list can be found at http://www.wrl.org/bookweb/booklists/music.html
Barry
Michael Dirda: Many thanks. Make a note, music fans.
Washington, D.C.:
Have to disagree on the Portis. There's a reason he's very much a minority taste- he has minimal talent. "Norwood" is sophmoric at best. People seem to want to trash Carver, but his work will endure, both because of his way of writing and because his writing has an essential element- it's lived, not just formulated. Despite the abundance of critics, oddly, most writers are overrated The only real critic, Time, winnows the lot down tremendously. Only a few writers in each generation really live on- and fewer critics!
Michael Dirda: And fewer critics. Hmmm, that doesn't sound too good. Maybe I should have gone into used car sales. ANd with that, we need to bid each other adieux for another week. Sorry if I didn't get to yhour question or comment. Send it in next time. Till THursday at 2--keep reading!
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