If you scroll down, you'll find my post of Publisher's Weekly "15 Most Under-Rated Authors" list. I finally had the time to seek information about each writer today. Yikes!
Nearly all of them were born in the 1960s. That's fine. I love the work of many authors born in that decade.
Yet when I located the descriptions of their novels and short stories, I shivered. None of them are mainstream writers. No problem there, but what I mean is only a few are mainstream literary fiction authors. The rest write literary horror, focus on S&M relationships and withdrawal from the world and universe, as well as being just overwhelmingly weird! There's a cop-out description, if ever I've written one.
Once again, in my defense, I'll say that I like the work of many young writers. But this group fills a house of horrors.
Yes, I'm exaggerating. You know I'm prone to that.
I will say that I am interested in the novels of Christine Schutt, particularly All Souls, which I have ordered through inter-library loan.
Anthony Doerr and Mary Gaitskill are the two other writers I'm interested in. But the rest!
Please don't take my word for this analysis. Select a writer or two and seek them out online. Read the descriptions of their books. Is Publisher's Weekly off the balance beam? Or am I? I'd be happy to hear what you have to say! Feel free to let loose with your opinions!
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