Jamie’s answer to “why on earth is this book so BORING?” > Likes and Comments
2 likes · Like
In order to appreciate a classic like this one, the reader must be prepared to spend some time with it. I find myself re-reading passages over and over again because even the simplest sounding sentences are in reality complex. In other words, they bring more than meets the eye. But you DO need a fairly thorough grounding in history, and it helps if you have read other classics, such as Twain, Dickens and Dostoyevsky. I just told someone else that if they come back to this book in 30 years, they will not believe how rich and varied the writing of this masterpiece actually is. Good writing is really like fine wine, the older it gets, the more an experienced drinker can come to appreciate it. I will say that pronouncing any writer as a "poor" one is not the kind of comment one would expect from a reader with a mature attitude toward reading or writing. James Fenimore Cooper was a master. He was a keen observer and a powerful storyteller who wrote in the style of his times. Once you gain some life experience and do some serious reading and writing of your own, you'll start gaining the skills you'll need to appreciate Cooper's gifts. It will take time, so don't expect to come back to it in ten years, even, and believe you're ready for it. But you do have to give it some time. Believe me, it will be worth it.
James Fenimore Cooper was an outstanding novelist.
"sentences are in reality complex. "
The description I would would use is convoluted rather than complex.
"helps if you have read other classics, such as Twain, Dickens and Dostoyevsky. " ... "I will say that pronouncing any writer as a "poor" one is not the kind of comment one would expect from a reader with a mature attitude toward reading or writing."
So you recommend reading Twain, but don't think he had a mature attitude toward reading or writing? Bit of a mixed message there.
" Once you gain some life experience and do some serious reading and writing of your own, you'll start gaining the skills you'll need to appreciate Cooper's gifts."
Mark Twain was nearly 60 when we called out James Fenimore Cooper for being a crappy writer. I don't think either of us will ever surpass the life experiences and writing of Twain at that age.
The book is boring because Cooper had a tedious writing style. http://strangebeautiful.com/other-tex...
Tedious compared to what? Tedious because YOU have a narrow definition of sentence structure and narrative balance? So apparently someone needs a lesson in what a book is, or at least what one is supposed to be. Books are all different, just as people are different. IF you're going to compare Cooper's mechanics with those of other writers, fine, but do so objectively, not by judging his writing by your own narrow and "convoluted" standards.
You had no compunction about publicly calling The Lovely Bones badly written and expounding on your own writing style pet peeves; so why is it okay when you do it, but not me?
back to top
date
newest »
newest »
message 1:
by
[deleted user]
(new)
Apr 12, 2015 07:23PM
Thanks i can tell
reply
|
flag
In order to appreciate a classic like this one, the reader must be prepared to spend some time with it. I find myself re-reading passages over and over again because even the simplest sounding sentences are in reality complex. In other words, they bring more than meets the eye. But you DO need a fairly thorough grounding in history, and it helps if you have read other classics, such as Twain, Dickens and Dostoyevsky. I just told someone else that if they come back to this book in 30 years, they will not believe how rich and varied the writing of this masterpiece actually is. Good writing is really like fine wine, the older it gets, the more an experienced drinker can come to appreciate it. I will say that pronouncing any writer as a "poor" one is not the kind of comment one would expect from a reader with a mature attitude toward reading or writing. James Fenimore Cooper was a master. He was a keen observer and a powerful storyteller who wrote in the style of his times. Once you gain some life experience and do some serious reading and writing of your own, you'll start gaining the skills you'll need to appreciate Cooper's gifts. It will take time, so don't expect to come back to it in ten years, even, and believe you're ready for it. But you do have to give it some time. Believe me, it will be worth it.
James Fenimore Cooper was an outstanding novelist.
"sentences are in reality complex. "The description I would would use is convoluted rather than complex.
"helps if you have read other classics, such as Twain, Dickens and Dostoyevsky. " ... "I will say that pronouncing any writer as a "poor" one is not the kind of comment one would expect from a reader with a mature attitude toward reading or writing."
So you recommend reading Twain, but don't think he had a mature attitude toward reading or writing? Bit of a mixed message there.
" Once you gain some life experience and do some serious reading and writing of your own, you'll start gaining the skills you'll need to appreciate Cooper's gifts."
Mark Twain was nearly 60 when we called out James Fenimore Cooper for being a crappy writer. I don't think either of us will ever surpass the life experiences and writing of Twain at that age.
The book is boring because Cooper had a tedious writing style. http://strangebeautiful.com/other-tex...
Tedious compared to what? Tedious because YOU have a narrow definition of sentence structure and narrative balance? So apparently someone needs a lesson in what a book is, or at least what one is supposed to be. Books are all different, just as people are different. IF you're going to compare Cooper's mechanics with those of other writers, fine, but do so objectively, not by judging his writing by your own narrow and "convoluted" standards.
You had no compunction about publicly calling The Lovely Bones badly written and expounding on your own writing style pet peeves; so why is it okay when you do it, but not me?
