The Plot Thickens at The New York Times Book Review, an article written on Pynter Online discusses the changes that the new executive editor Bill Keller of the NYTBR will make. Lowlights of this change:
"Emphasize non-fiction books. Demote literary fiction. Promote more [potboilers]commercial novels."
Views from the Editors, Book Reviewers and Publishers
My thoughts:
As a book reviewer, I am saddened by these changes. The dumbingdown of American literature in the past ten years has finally taken its toll on a publishing benchmark-The New York Times Book Review. Somewhere, someone decided that great diction, superb writing, emerging and brilliant thought should take a back seat to daytime soaps in print. My daughter's mind will not be tarnished by this for I will read her the classics. Maybe by the time she reaches highschool in ten years, The NYT will have recognized their faux paus or maybe anothe paper will take the reins. Bookmark perhaps?
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2 comments:
Hello , First Timer to your site.. I think, both forms of writing have their own niche, mutually exclusive place.. and shouldnt ideally be compared. As fiction in form of classical books teach the young to imagine ,think anything, hone their own creative skills, and are better equipped to teach the nuances of the language, Non-fiction is also required to a great extent in bring you closer to reality, to learn about various realistic viewpoints.. to gather knowledge as such..
7:34 AMI am totally against commercialized novels.. They dont serve any purpose.. have pre decided and therefore unintersting plots.. They should be demoted instead.
http://archiesays.blogspot.com
I agree Archie. The non fiction changes are fine. It is the fiction part that concerns me. It's like including poster in the Arts & Entertainment section.
7:55 AMPost a Comment