[Bananafish] JSF? not for me.

[mose0123 at umn.edu]

Not sure if that Jonathan Safran Foer interview was posted out of 
admiration or just because of the JD reference. But, I have a burning 
dislike for this author that I will try to articulate here.

It seems to me that JSF's conceit shines through in his writing in a way 
that detracts from any story he is trying to tell. His book drips with it, 
much as this email probably drips with my dislike. I'll be honest, I have 
not read Everything is Illuminated (saw the movie though, heh) and probably 
could have given Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close more of a fair shake 
than I did. But, it seems to me that JSF uses his writing the same way he 
used his philosophy education; as fodder to pick up chicks and impress his 
dormmates. His mishmash of observations and cutesy gimmicks fail to strike 
a tone deeper than HEY! Look at my mishmash of observations and cutesy 
gimmicks! Which, while that in itself may be a statement about the new 
generation of American writers, let's all band together and ask for 
something better.

I am in no way a lit critic, I was just curious if JSF left the same bad 
taste in anyone else's mouth.

hope you all have a lovely day.


allison