Rambling Comment's #1

Literature seems to be developing new genres that I like and dislike. Conventional fiction or non-fiction books aren't so routine anymore. I mean writers like James Patterson, Nelson DeMille, and John Grisham are still out there publishing one book after another, but isn't it just commercial fodder? Let's face it, this type of writing just doesn't get it done anymore. I'm not including John Irving in that group, because I think he's kind of an artistic writer that's not so common. (By the way, his new novel In One Person comes out in May 2012.) I think there are writers that are using new techniques that I find refreshing and enjoyable. There are some authors that are also using old methods, such as the epistolary novel, that I still like a lot. Some examples of this methodology are Elizabeth Kostova's The Historian  and Max Brooks's World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War. These are still enjoyable because of their creativity.

Now for the new style that I like. I call it the Non-fiction Thriller! Here we have the best of two worlds: history and excitement. I'm talking about authors like Erik Larson, Candice Millard, Robert Klara, and Scott Miller. Read Millard's The River of Doubt and tell me it wasn't thrilling! You learn some history of Theodore Roosevelt that you will never forget because the story was exhilarating. History teachers, pay attention! Read Larson's The Devil in the White City and you will learn about the World's Columbian Expo of 1893 in Chicago and a real serial killer, who haunted the fair at the same time. Read the sad tale of FDR's Funeral Train by Robert Klara and tell me that you aren't moved. All of these books are non-fiction, but read like a Flash Gordon serial. I have read a lot of these types of books recently, and I have to say that they are highly satisfying and educational.

Now for the style that I don't like. I call it Historical Fantasy Horror! The leading candidate for this genre is Seth Grahame-Smith's Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter. This is plain comic book ridiculous! What's next - George Washington and Abbott and Costello Meet the Mummy? Why not? We already have Pride and Prejudice and Zombies and Max Brooks's The Zombie Survival Guide. While these books are fun and entertaining, I don't consider this literature. I would rather read some vintage Batman or Superman  comic books.

Now for the style that I'm not sure about. China Mieville calls it Weird Fiction. It's his coined phrase, and I agree that's exactly how his novels seem to me. I've had my criticism's of this loquacious author in my three reviews of his novels, mostly because of his diction and his use of neologisms. Even though I admit that Mieville is a semi-genius, I have to wonder why I usually get a migraine headache after reading one of his books. Another author in this category is Jeff Vandermeer of City of Saints and Madmen, but since I haven't read his works, I can't opine. I think the biggest problem that I have with this type of writing is the lack of disambiguation of the general story. In another words, I normally don't understand what's going on!

Okay, that's the end of rambling for now. Thanks, Rick O.