A Million Apologies
…For the pretentiousness of my last post. I was reading it over and it’s pretty much thinly veiled claptrap. Martin Amis once said (I’m paraphrasing) that the critic must proceed by quotation, and this I did not do - probably because I couldn’t. I could erase it now but it’s kind of like whatever, so I concocted theory I don’t agree with anymore, it’s not the end of the world. I do, though, still think that there was/is a cartoonish quality to the novel.
Anyway, I’m going to spend some time reading through the thing and collecting my thoughts on it. There’s a lot of disarray right now at Penguin HQ, because we’re about to become the unofficial publishers of East London when we move offices to Brick Lane on the weekend. But this is of limited interest to you, my millionkindofpublishedwriters. Commentary to follow.
Jon
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March 7th, 2007 at 7:29 pm
I went to Brick Lane once. Nice curry houses.
Could have played Au Clair de la Lune on the old trouser trumpet after, mind you.
Funny, life.
March 7th, 2007 at 10:42 pm
Jon,
The theory you suggested last time was certainly thought provoking. I certainly see now that there are elements of satire and evewn comicality that at times refers expressly to the Simpsons or is Simpsonequeand certainly aspects of a cartoon in parts.
One other thing I mentioned elsewhere that struck me after your post is this:
Looking over the main novel again it strikes me the influence of items such as “ipod’ and “wii” and in fact other name brand items. As this novel has progressed, I had a natural aversion to such things becuase we live in such a commercialised world, references to such prodcuts seemed to be like a form of ‘product placement’. But, the more I think about it, it is perhaps, (given that we are immersed in such a commercialised world), actually the SETTING in which we find ourselves in this day and age. But I must admit being fascinated by it.
The “addiction” of preoccupation with “the computer game” and the various implications of its subject matter has been a late and very interesting devleopment to the novel and very good too, thought provoking. cheers again and thanks for putting yourselves out there Jon, Jeremy and the DMU team and students and everyone… I reckon the only bad theory is the one not spoken, because at least it shares honestly and openly all the possibilities for a more full exposition. cheerio
March 7th, 2007 at 11:15 pm
I’m not responsible for the link posted at March 7th, 2007 at 7:29 pm.
the real ConstructionDestruction.
March 8th, 2007 at 3:15 am
I didn’t think your last post was pretentious at all…..
I am currently editing a journal and have been in contact with authors and find your posts a nice blend of professional guidance and friendly communication….
I am starting to get more curious now that it is over as to who everyone is/was……….
part of me loves that we don’t know………..part of me is curious as to a taste of our community we had here…
best
March 8th, 2007 at 12:15 pm
Sir,
it was interesting everyone told the same story at the same time. It wasn’t too important the tidy course of the story. Of course the story is rich in emotional elements. The plot has everything and this can be successful. Good novels have a feeling of completeness and further development together.
Neri
March 10th, 2007 at 5:41 am
I have just been reading up on a phrase I just came across, called “breaking down the fourth wall” - it is a fascinating concept that originated in the theatre but is also apparently used in cinema, television and literature to refer to breaking the imaginary wall between the characters in a story and the audience that watches them, making the reader/viewer suddenly aware of their own role as observer in the drama and sometimes drawing them in. This certainly happened in this novel. It was controversial to some, yet it appears to be a very effective and sometimes ironic device for more…..see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fourth_wall
March 14th, 2007 at 2:32 pm
You alluded to producing an ebook. Any plans to publish the novel traditionally? Or perhaps I missed that objective somewhere along the way.
Regardless—congratulations to all Penguins near and far on the completion of this adventure into wiki-dom.
March 31st, 2007 at 4:25 am
What I’ve seen with a million penguins is more of the same that I’ve witnessed over the years. A few misguided/idiotitic/self-empowered individual(s) controlling everything. Very sad indeed. The project has illustrated the fact that our society is a bit wacked. An individual or a group of individuals can direct the fate of the majority. In light of today’s problems around the globe I think we are screwed.
April 2nd, 2007 at 3:58 pm
I had times of feeling the same, dwaldick; very demoralising.
But there is the other side as well - some committed and serious people