Patron-Only AMA #10 July 2026
A discussion of, among other things, my feelings on our 'post-literate' society, bad books and trashy books, my earliest memory, and whether or not I have ever ridden a horse.
Thanks for your patience in my posting of this video - It has been a wild ride across the country.
Comments (10)
I think re-read and re-review videos would actually be pretty cool
Noted! Thanks for saying so, I will definitely consider that.
Thank you for answering my question Cliff, much appreciated. By the way I highly recommend The Monk and Rebecca. I concur about the comments about iceberg/passionless modern fiction, the most recent booker prize winner, Flesh by David Szalay, case in point. It’s almost the anti-novel with the main character being to the point of mono-syllabic throughout.Novelist Zadie Smith called Flesh the anti-novel.
My pleasure G J! Oh good deal thanks, appreciate the vouching for both books. Ah gotcha, I was planning on reading 'Flesh' at some point but we'll see. Thanks for the heads up, I appreciate it.
Great video as always, Cliff. I wanted to chime in with regard to the iceberg style of writing and how tired it's become. Firstly, I agree and I hate the fact that's the popular style nowadays. When it works, it works; I love Didion & Carver too, but I see no reason why it should be dominate prose style that litters the best seller shelf at most bookstores in the country. I have no way of knowing for certain so this is just conjecture on my part but I theorize that part of the reason it's become so fashionable as of late is because it makes for a much easier sell if you want to option the film rights. I have a screenwriting background - studios want sharp, clear screenplays that read quick and easy. If your novel is devoid of a lot of fat or style in the prose, it suddenly starts reading like a slightly beefed up screenplay... I could very well be speaking out of my ass, but I wouldn't be shocked if I'm onto something. Like you, I dislike a lot of modern movies - due in part to the startling lack of quality screenwriters working nowadays. American literature is in a bad spot, American movies are in a bad spot.
Thanks very much Jacques! Agreed. Brevity appeals to the market. Maybe it's a symptom of technology/the economy. Not a bad theory, I wouldn't be surprised. That's how I was taught. White space on the page is championed. Yup, totally agree regarding the state of American books and films.
Thanks for answering my questions! Hell of a list of places! Great AMA and some great questions here. Glad you are enjoying AZ. Glad to have this space for intellectual camaraderie.
My pleasure Benjamin, haha thanks, hope you get to see some of em! Thanks very much for your kind words, likewise glad to have this space as well, and thanks for being a part of it!
So stoked that you started reading all the all the pretty horses off my recommendation, it’s fantastic. I should be starting the crossing soon. You’ll get on that horse one day. I have a copy of nazi literature in the americas I’m planning on reading after by night in chile. Cheers!
Hell yeah - Nice, yeah I can't wait to finish the trilogy. Yes, one day I'll get on a horse. Sounds good, I've not yet read By Night in Chile, I'll have to get to that eventually. Cheers!