Toni Morrison's Rejection Letters
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Toni Morrison's Rejection Letters
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Re: Toni Morrison's Rejection Letters
#2I was hoping for a link to all of her rejection letters but alas, none is provided. I guess we have to visit the Random House archives at Columbia University’s Rare Book & Manuscript Library.
Re: Toni Morrison's Rejection Letters
#3I was forced to read her book in school, I didn't care for it. One wonders what percentage of her readers read her willingly.
Re: Toni Morrison's Rejection Letters
#4I was forced to read her book in school, I didn't care for it. One wonders what percentage of her readers read her willingly.
When people say this, I wonder what kind of books they appreciate.
Re: Toni Morrison's Rejection Letters
#5I was forced to read her book in school, I didn't care for it. One wonders what percentage of her readers read her willingly.
She’s a winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature, National Book Critics Circle Award, Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, Presidential Medal of Freedom, and the National Book Foundation’s Medal of Distinguished Contribution to American Letters; one of the most celebrated writers in American literature. I understand that you may not personally like the book of hers you read, but to suggest that people read her just because they’re required to is absurd.
Re: Toni Morrison's Rejection Letters
#6Re: Toni Morrison's Rejection Letters
#7I was forced to read her book in school, I didn't care for it. One wonders what percentage of her readers read her willingly.
She’s a winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature, National Book Critics Circle Award, Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, Presidential Medal of Freedom, and the National Book Foundation’s Medal of Distinguished Contribution to American Letters; one of the most celebrated writers in American literature. I understand that you may not personally like the book of hers you read, but to suggest that people read her just because the…
>but to suggest that people read her just because they’re required to is absurd
Its not, source: the OP
Your comment made me realise how much I hated being required to read X because of all the exact reasons you mentioned above. Just because what I've read didn't win a nobel prize doesn't mean I cant find it subjectively better.
Re: Toni Morrison's Rejection Letters
#8I was forced to read her book in school, I didn't care for it. One wonders what percentage of her readers read her willingly.
When people say this, I wonder what kind of books they appreciate.
I think it's possible to appreciate a book as literature but not want to ever read it again. The Bluest Eye (for example) is a rare glimpse into the horrors of racism and sexism, especially as both intersect with standards of beauty. It's not a book I would pick up without a grade at stake though.
I think I would wonder about someone who actually likes it. It's a horrifying read.
Re: Toni Morrison's Rejection Letters
#9Earlier quoted context omitted.
She’s a winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature, National Book Critics Circle Award, Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, Presidential Medal of Freedom, and the National Book Foundation’s Medal of Distinguished Contribution to American Letters; one of the most celebrated writers in American literature. I understand that you may not personally like the book of hers you read, but to suggest that people read her just because the…
>but to suggest that people read her just because they’re required to is absurd Its not, source: the OP Your comment made me realise how much I hated being required to read X because of all the exact reasons you mentioned above. Just because what I've read didn't win a nobel prize doesn't mean I cant find it subjectively better.
From what I can determine, the books that kids are forced to read in high school are the books that their elders really loved; and often were not forced to read in high school.
Most every book I was forced to read I still hate enough that I'll never bother rereading it. I'm sure they're all great; they also weren't for me, not at that time.
Which is why the absolute last thing I'd ever do is assign anyone to read any of the books I love.
Re: Toni Morrison's Rejection Letters
#10I was forced to read her book in school, I didn't care for it. One wonders what percentage of her readers read her willingly.
Oh, come on now. You don't have to enjoy Toni Morrison, but to discount her absolute success because she isn't your preference is more than a little ridiculous.