The Good Guys Do It Easy

Sad news. Fletch author Gregory McDonald has passed away.

I was 13 or 14 the summer I discovered Fletch. I laughed out loud as I read. think I was IN LOVE with Fletch. Over the next couple of years, I think I read every single one ever published (at that time). I tried (but failed) to enjoy the Chevy Chase movie (he was all wrong for the part). I wanted to be a writer. I wanted to be like Fletch, and if not, then like McDonald.

Now, switching gears entirely . . . oldest daughter is reading this book. It won the Booker prize about 8 years ago, and it is, truly, magnificent. As Oldest says, "I steal a few minutes whenever I can to read it" (she is, after all, taking a huge course load plus orchestra and sectionals and . . . and . . .). "The writing is so eloquent." And it's true. Each sentence is a work of art.

Somehow, you won't ever find anyone who would say that Atwood isn't a genius. You couldn't. Not with that book. Probably not with any of her books.

But stick a few people in a room to discuss a "popular" fiction writer, and you'll find it's easy for the bashing to begin. Or maybe I should re-phrase that. Stick a few WRITERS in a room . . . and you'll find it's easy for the bashing to begin.

Sometimes, those who write popular fiction, make it look easy. They create some light entertainment for a few hours of our time. We get lost for a little bit. We get scared. Or we cry. Or we laugh. Or we can't wait to turn the page to see what happens next. People who can do that are gifted in their own way. Maybe each sentence isn't a work of art, but the sum of the whole . . . enjoyable.

When I am out in the "real world" (which is rarely), I notice something. When I'm with, say, a women's book club, if the ladies, as a whole, don't like a book, they simply say, "I didn't like it. I was really rooting for x to happen but then y happened." Or they say, "I just couldn't get into it because I didn't like the main character--I thought she was mean." Stick a few writers in the same scenario, and I swear it's jealousy (if it's a popular writer), or something . . . but they can't heap the snark and criticism on fast enough. Sometimes, it gets personal--all you need is to read some writer-reviewer blogs to see that.

Maybe it's me. But most of the time, I say, "I can see why someone loves it." I may not love it, but the good writers make it look easy--the sum of the whole. I have said many a time here that I would never read a book by her. She's sold 60 million (!!!) immensely popular books, but they're just not my thing. I like physics (yay for the super collider!). I like philosophy. BUT . . . I have never met a kinder, more gracious author in all my years (we both spoke at the same conference). I cheer her every success, because if there's such a thing as a writer putting out positive vibes and getting it back again, it's that lady. But here's the other thing. I would never want my reluctance to read "that kind" of book be perceived as a book snobbishness. It's entertainment. It's not rocket science. Just because I like to READ rocket science doesn't mean I don't appreciate the art form that is commercial fiction.

So here's to Fletch. To McDonald. He made me laugh. He made me want to be a writer. And he made it look easy.

Thoughts?