Toni Morrison's Rejection Letters • Hacker News Board

Re: Toni Morrison's Rejection Letters

#11

Post by emseetech » Sun, Mar 31, 2024, 4:11 AM UTC

Kye wrote: post #8

emseetech wrote: post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

I don’t get a strong sense of appreciation from the parent comment though.

Re: Toni Morrison's Rejection Letters

#12

Post by ByQuyzzy » Sun, Mar 31, 2024, 4:12 AM UTC

emseetech wrote: post #4

ByQuyzzy wrote: post #3

I 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.

Currently reading Turris Babel in the original Latin. What books are you into? You will be judged by your answer, and assumed to be a non-reader if you don't reply.

Re: Toni Morrison's Rejection Letters

#13

Post by bern4444 » Sun, Mar 31, 2024, 4:13 AM UTC

emseetech wrote: post #4

ByQuyzzy wrote: post #3

I 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've loved books that have won lots of awards and recognition that I only read cause it was part of a curriculum, but it's perfectly reasonable to also not connect with some of them.

I read almost exclusively fantasy and have always loved reading since I was young. Fantasy series are often trilogies or more with some being over 10 books long.

You go on adventures, read about relationships, interpersonal problems, power, team work, individualism, religion, and so much more. While it's mostly what I read, it's not all, but it keeps me reading.

Re: Toni Morrison's Rejection Letters

#14

Post by indy » Sun, Mar 31, 2024, 4:14 AM UTC

ByQuyzzy wrote: post #3

I was forced to read her book in school, I didn't care for it. One wonders what percentage of her readers read her willingly.

I was biased to have negative opinions of many books simply because I was 'forced to read them in school'.

It was only many years later when I chose to read them that I could appreciate their quality.

Re: Toni Morrison's Rejection Letters

#15

Post by CSMastermind » Sun, Mar 31, 2024, 4:14 AM UTC

emseetech wrote: post #4

ByQuyzzy wrote: post #3

I 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 strongly disliked Morrison's books when I read them, though I'll happily concede they're expertly written.

Some fiction books I've read as an adult and appreciate:

Gone with the Wind, Fields of Fire, American Psycho, The Turn of the Screw, Anna Karenina

Some from school:

To Kill a Mockingbird, The Great Gatsby, Frienheit 451, Moby Dick, Brave New World

Some of the more pop fictiony:

American Gods, The Stand, His Dark Materials, A Song of Ice and Fire, Imajica

Re: Toni Morrison's Rejection Letters

#16

Post by basementcat » Sun, Mar 31, 2024, 4:14 AM UTC

Kye wrote: post #8

emseetech wrote: post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

Perhaps this is not unlike how many of my friends and colleagues questioned why I chose to visit places like Auschwitz while I was on vacation in Eastern Europe. I try not to limit the books I read, films I watch and places that I visit to those that aren’t intellectually and/or emotionally challenging and difficult. Or maybe I’m just weird.

Re: Toni Morrison's Rejection Letters

#17

Post by grepLeigh » Sun, Mar 31, 2024, 4:15 AM UTC

"On the other is a rejection from Morrison, sometimes brusque yet typically offering something more than an expression of disinterest—notes on craft, character development, the need for more (or less) drama. But also: Autopsies of a changing, and in many ways diminishing, publishing industry; frustrations with the tastes of a reading public; and sympathies for poets, short story writers, and other authors drawn to commercially hopeless genres."

This is a beautiful way to soften the blow of rejection and turn it into an opportunity for growth. I wish the modern tech equivalent of a rejection letter could include the same kindness ("Thank you for your interest ... We regret to inform you ... After careful consideration, we are not moving forward"). I've managed/founded, so I fully understand how much liability this opens the company up to, but I still mourn the loss of this small kindness.

Re: Toni Morrison's Rejection Letters

#18

Post by ByQuyzzy » Sun, Mar 31, 2024, 4:15 AM UTC

forgotmyinfo wrote: post #10

ByQuyzzy wrote: post #3

I 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.

Every school library in the US has 120 copies of this book. I'm just wondering how many non-school / library buyers there were. If her success is government-mandated, it can easily be discounted.

Re: Toni Morrison's Rejection Letters

#19

Post by emseetech » Sun, Mar 31, 2024, 4:16 AM UTC

ByQuyzzy wrote: post #12

emseetech wrote: post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

When people say this, I wonder what kind of books they appreciate.

Currently reading Turris Babel in the original Latin. What books are you into? You will be judged by your answer, and assumed to be a non-reader if you don't reply.

I would love to hear your thoughts on it.

I personally just finished Knausgaard (in English, my Norwegian is lacking) and am currently reading Pussy, King of the Pirates by Kathy Acker as a light follow up.

Re: Toni Morrison's Rejection Letters

#20

Post by forgotmyinfo » Sun, Mar 31, 2024, 4:24 AM UTC

ByQuyzzy wrote: post #18

forgotmyinfo wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

Every school library in the US has 120 copies of this book. I'm just wondering how many non-school / library buyers there were. If her success is government-mandated, it can easily be discounted.

[flagged]