tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6379773217495837003.post4413027603433810905..comments2023-11-02T04:41:22.752-05:00Comments on Anita's Edge: In Which I Insult Scarlett O'HaraAnita Saxenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12444339735834716979noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6379773217495837003.post-52696374039638209182011-04-14T19:19:21.396-05:002011-04-14T19:19:21.396-05:00I haven't read any of the books listed but I d...I haven't read any of the books listed but I do think the idea of a book that changed a life.<br /><br />For me, it was Salem's Lot! <br /><br />Mr. King's style and edge, derived from every day life (yes, even in his horror setting), things you could really relate to, set the tone for my future writing.<br /><br />Whether that changes anyone's life remains to be seen.<br /><br />http://timkeen40.wordpress.comAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6379773217495837003.post-5609865160484274762011-04-14T13:10:53.850-05:002011-04-14T13:10:53.850-05:00The writing in Atlas Shrugged is awful. I tried a ...The writing in Atlas Shrugged is awful. I tried a shot at it when I found it on my mom's bookshelf as a teen. It's even worse if you don't go in for dystopian. Now that I'm older, somewhat wiser, and definitely more political I shudder every time I pass it in the book store. Like walking by a graveyard at night. Every time we hit a recession and conservative values come back in to vogue the book shoots up in popularity. It's basically her philosophy of moral selfishness. Government is oppressive. Profit motive is the only motive that keeps the world going. All of these ideas, conservatives love because conservatism at it's core is about individualism vs liberals being more about the group. The book preaches that any sort of self-sacrifice is evil. That may be an interesting and self-serving outlook to have in real life, but in fiction it makes for boring plot points. Romeo & Juliet would be a soooo fun to read with no idea of sacrifice *sarcasm drips to the floor* How can any protagonist prove they really want something if they aren't willing to give up everything in the world including life for it. Twilight - Bella: "Edward, I'm not really into the whole self-sacrifice-thing, so how about we just keep it casual?" Edward: "Sorry, Bella, but I'm not going to sacrifice my need for your blood just because you're cute. I'm eating your arm right now."<br />If you believe you do owe something to society, No one is an island, Your friends and family all sacrifice for you and you for them, and that just generally you need self-sacrifice for good fiction then you may want to take a pass. The Fox News for American Idol trade didn't go so well, so I imagine that he wouldn't actually read your suggested book anyway.Optional Delusionhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07493998490887182513noreply@blogger.com