I have a confession to make. I read a lot of books. And even worse, most of them are considered to be “literature.” Those who also read books know that here in America admitting to reading books in casual conversation most always results in being defined as a conceited smartypants elitist and left out of subsequent conversations and invitations.
Hemmingway [you see right there I use an elitist literary chuckle], I just got done reading last year’s Pulitzer Prize winning novel, THE ORPHAN MASTER’S SON. It is about life in North Korea. The title depicts something quite alien to the Western world that is and always has been quite common in totalitarian cultures. Orphan’s must be watched carefully, for they are prone to defect because they have no family that can be shot or imprisoned if the do. We also learn that sending a family to work prisons is a one way ride. For they do not want word to get out that the prisons even exist.
What I most enjoyed about the book is the author seems to be a fan of my favorite Gabriel Garcia Marquez and added that surreal magical aspect to the story.
Let me make some of you hate me even more by saying that some time ago I got a list of the 100 most important books and decided to have at it. I have about 75 now under my belt. My favorites are 1000 Days of Solitude by Marquez, and the biggest fattest fun adventure of all time, The Count of Monte Cristo, Dumas.
I would also like to add that just last night I was channel surfing and landed on some game show much like Jeopardy but with a few genius contestants up against all knowing Rick and the rest of the cast from Pawn Stars.
Question: Author Harper Lee wrote only one book which is considered to be one of the best American novels ever written, what was the title of that book?
It was not so much that none of the 5 people knew the answer, but Rick answered with a curt “NO IDEA” as if it was an unfair question.
Now I have made fun of beloved Rick which puts me so down deep into that elitist poophole I may never recover.
But wait! In my defense I have failed 20 times to get past page 25 of what is said to be the greatest novel ever written, ULYSSES, James Joyce. So perhaps there is room for redemption for me.