'With the single exception of Homer, there is no eminent writer, not even Sir Walter Scott, whom I can despise so entirely as I despise Shakespeare.' George Bernard Shaw From what Byron really thought of Keats to Salman Rushdie's savage put-down of John Le Carre, from Cocteau's damning view of Victor Hugo to Edith Sitwell's derogatory description of D.H. Lawrence, here, complied by the author of Why Not Catch 21? is an anthology of writers on writers, eloquently giving vent to their least charitable feelings in outbursts of petulance, denunciations, abuse, mockery, and more. What the reviewers said about Why Not Catch 21?. 'A deliciously witty and erudite collection which, as with a box of chocolate liqueurs, I had to discipline myself not to consume too quickly. Few writers have ever worn their learning as lightly as Gary Dexter.' Gilbert Adair 'Fifty delicious little essays about, in some cases, very familiar books, which tell you things you didn't know before and occasionally draw odd and unexpected conclusions. If no one buys this delightful book for you, buy it for yourself. No literary lavatory will be complete without a copy.' Spectator
What could be as entertaining as reading one author tear a strip off another?
Well, actually, I can think of a lot of things at least as entertaining, if not more so. But this collection of quotes, reviews and thoughts by authors about other authors, from the classics through to modern fiction, is often entertaining and occasionally gasp inducing. As Gary Dexter, the editor of Poisoned Pens notes, often a writer's best work is in his or her reduction of another's.
An easy one to skim or dip into at leisure, with more than a few read-out-loud worthy bits.
Reading updates
-
Started reading
-
9 January, 2017:
Finished reading
-
9 January, 2017:
Reviewed