Sterling Terrell

smart ideas from books (mostly)

  • Home
  • About
    • My CV
    • Books
    • Series
  • Newsletter
  • Advertising
  • Tools
You are here: Home / Potpourri / Great Literature

Great Literature

Great Literature

Sure, I would agree that great literature has been shunned – a result of schools and parents not teaching literature, writing, and ethics (humanities) in the first place.

(This idea is the entire foundation of the book below.)

“Good” is hard to put a finger on though – because art is so subjective.

But what do I know?

Childhood’s End was a novel by Arthur C. Clarke, whom Lewis had corresponded with prior, arguing about the insanity of pursuing technology without virtue.

Lewis thought it a fool’s errand.

And yes, there is still no break in the clouds, in fact, I think it might be getting worse:

When Childhood’s End appeared, Lewis wrote to Joy Gresham, who would later become his wife, and called it “AN ABSOLUTE CORKER.” “It is a strange comment on our age that such a book lies hid in a hideous paper-backed edition, wholly unnoticed by the cognoscenti, while any ‘realistic’ drivel about some neurotic in a London flat—something that needs no real invention at all, something that any educated man could write if he chose, may get seriously reviewed and mentioned in serious books—as if it really mattered. I wonder how long this tyranny will last? Twenty years ago I felt no doubt that I should live to see it all break up and great literature return: But here I am, losing teeth and hair, and still no break in the clouds.”

-Alan Jacobs, The Year Of Our Lord 1943 (Amazon)

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)

Related

Filed Under: PotpourriTagged With: #Literature, #Writing

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Privacy Policy

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Notifications of all new posts by email.

Connect

  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Search

Top Posts

  • The Tricky Lily Pad Riddle (You Probably Can't Solve)
    The Tricky Lily Pad Riddle (You Probably Can't Solve)
  • Hyatt Hill Country Sunday House
    Hyatt Hill Country Sunday House
  • Our Mercenary Heart
    Our Mercenary Heart
  • Competition Cheer
    Competition Cheer
  • The Romeo And Juliet Effect Causes Young Love To
    The Romeo And Juliet Effect Causes Young Love To
  • Track And Hook Songwriting
    Track And Hook Songwriting
  • 31 Persuasion Tips That I Learned From Scott Adams
    31 Persuasion Tips That I Learned From Scott Adams
  • The High-Priced, Low-Volume Strategy
    The High-Priced, Low-Volume Strategy
  • The Tragedy Of Gina "Bronco" Bouza (1932-1957)
    The Tragedy Of Gina "Bronco" Bouza (1932-1957)
  • God Gives Job Double Everything, Except This?
    God Gives Job Double Everything, Except This?

Supporting = Loving

Buy Me a Coffee

Recent Posts

  • The High-Priced, Low-Volume Strategy
  • The Most Useless IT Job
  • I Thought She Had Said Bad Man
  • On Having The Vision and Drive To Execute
  • On Micro.Blog

Copyright © 2023 · Generate Pro On Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in