Chekhov’s Mistess

Books and Politics and Politics and Talks Shows and Books and Voters

I keep seeing the in-set of the book world associated with politics. Let’s for the in-set, use the Wizard of McSweeney’s as a proxy. You’ve probably seen that the not-so-heartbreaking career of staggering genius of Mr. Eggers has now led him to an appearance on Conan O’brien, the next Johnny Carson, tonight. I don’t know Mr. E, so I wouldn’t mind seeing if he’s as nice as he’s supposed to be, but alas, that would mean turning on the television.

Now the reason that I bring this up at all is that there has been a lot of political activity on the part of Mr. E. (as a proxy for the whole gang, you recall), with the organization Downtown for Democracy and other political action groups. During the New Yorker Festival in October, Mr. E is speaking at an event called “Literature and Politics: Do world events have a place in fiction? “

I don’t who is going to go see that because it seems to me that world events have been in fiction for an awful long time. I don’t even think I need to cite examples for that one. Perhaps they meant do fiction writers have a place in politics?

Now actually, I’m glad that these literary luminaries are such visible celebrities that they can go out and have some impact on voters the way, say one of the Baldwin brothers do. But there’s one risk here. When Madonna gives an interview no one really expects her to come off as intelligent. She obviously has her own form of brilliance, but she’s not expected to be book smart and she doesn’t come off that way. But book people are expected to be very intelligent. Right? I read an article not long ago by Mr. E. (I hate to complain about a famous writer because it makes me seem bitter, I’m sure) about how teachers are underpaid. The article, which was in Mother Jones magazine, compared teacher’s salaries to those in other fields and cited examples of teachers that have to hold two jobs.

Sorry, it’s really not enough to say that teachers don’t make much money, it’s just too obvious to write about in a nationally distributed publication. I kept hoping the article would tell me something new, say something smart, look for a solution, even say something like “if we didn’t go around invading little countries we might have the money to pay teachers more.” Nope. The article was a fizzling disappointment and left me wondering what kind of image someone who writes this must be giving out there while speaking to voters. Yes, Mr. E. has his brilliance, and admittedly, this is only one article and there could have been an editor looking over his shoulder saying “cut it there Mr. E.” So I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt.

But you see, I get a little jaded during the quadrennial political season, when everyone seems to come out of the woodwork with their opinions, often informed by conjecture and headlines. I hope the bookish celebs use their noggins a bit more than that.

Read widely, think well, and write often.

comments

Bud,

My girlfriend and I had the opportunity to see Eggers in person at a reading at Cody’s Books (a very popular indie here in the Bay Area). There is one fact about this Eggers appearance that can sum up the whole experience. This is it:

My girlfriend had read “Heartbreaking Work of Staggering...”, enjoyed it, and prior to the event was very enthusiastic about seeing Eggers (as was the large crowd, mostly young female college students). After seeing Eggers she sold her copy of his book.

Yes, Eggers was very modest (even a little shy, and possibly frightened). Yes, he seemed like a genuinely nice guy. But he seemed, at most, half as bright as one would believe from all the priase that has been thoroughly and consistently heaped on him for the last few years.

This is not so much a dig on Eggers as it is on the media for puffing him up well beyond the boundries of reason. However, I will say that Egger’s follow-ups to “Heartbreaking Work” have not done anything to bolster his reputation.

Well, anyway, this comment has gotten a bit long. I think I’ve said enough.

    –  (09/10  at  01:05 AM)

I think your point on media hype is right. I don’t have anything against Eggers and I think he is most talented in being a printer/publisher. I bought one of his books solely for the fact that it began on the cover, and of course the journal is always designed ingeniously. That said, the article he wrote for MJ, as I mentioned showed no critical faculty - that’s only pertinent in my view in regard to the fact that he is out using celebrity to influence voters. I agree with the cause, but I am always cynical about the phenomenon of celebrity and how people seem to think they know a person because that person is famous, and tend to take their word for the same reason. I too am running on.

I’ll just close with even a more cynical view: Charles Bukowski…

those good people

the worst celebrities often support the most noble

causes,

some because so directed by their

publicity agents,

others, of the less famous

variety,

out of their need to be

accepted as good

souls.

beware these who rally too often to

popular causes,

not because the cause is

necessarily wrong

but because their motive is

self-serving—the cause being

their cause.

those people who swarm to

the ringing of bells and

speeches to the gatherings of

the righteously

indignant—

and often those who

ring the bells and give the

speeches—

are far worse as humans

than that or those they might

praise or support

or preach or rail

against.

think, would you want

one of these

smiling on your couch

on a rainy March night

or

any night

at all?

    – Bud Parr (CM) (09/10  at  10:15 AM)

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About this Post

• Posted by: Bud Parr
• Date: September 09, 2004
• Filed Under:
  Dismal/Dismaler: Econ/Politics

• Comments:2
• Links to this Post: Technorati

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