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Editorial
January 16, 1922
The West Virginian
Fairmont, Marion County, West Virginia
What is this article about?
This editorial critiques modern novels and short stories for their ephemerality, emphasis on passing fashions, lack of intellectual depth, and descent into vulgar 'realism' and 'sex thrillers.' It praises a few upright writers and doubts future generations will value lasting books.
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OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
BOOK SHELVES OF THE FUTURE
How many of the books of the past ten years will survive and make interesting reading even ten years from today? In the muck of the present day novels and short stories how many will have enough strength and excellence to lift them out of the literary mud and grime in which the writers of today deliberately wallow and secure for them a place upon the shelves of the household library for that reading, and re-reading which a worth while work inspires?
The writers of the present are producing only for the passing moment. Many of the modern novels are two thirds description of clothing that will go out of fashion and become ridiculous as the current style becomes more passe; descriptions of interiors and exteriors which are subject to a style dictation that is almost as whimsical; descriptions of amusements that are smart for the moment, conversation that is smart for the moment, interests that are considered 'the thing' for the moment.
There is nothing to treasure, or to quote, or to inspire. No part of the structure that bids the reader expend any energy to think, nor, for that matter does the average reader demand any reading that requires mental exertion. There is no desire to retain or to treasure any part of a book or story.
To make the whole as bad as it well can be made, into the froth of the transient interest sustained in the novel of today is poured what the public is pleased to term 'realism.' It is the high brow expression for a setting forth of the most vicious, degraded, cheap and base instincts of mankind. The 'sex thriller' is the achievement of the literature of the present, and what more disastrous comment on the literary taste of the public of today, or the depth to which some of the most gifted of the writers have descended.
There are a bright, shining, few among writers of novels and short stories, who have succeeded in keeping clean, who have refused to sully their gift in the red smear of nastiness and silliness that modern decadence of literary taste demands. It is to these that the next generation must look for contributions to their book shelves, provided the next generation buys books to keep and to read.
Nice question indeed, in view of the present outlook.
How many of the books of the past ten years will survive and make interesting reading even ten years from today? In the muck of the present day novels and short stories how many will have enough strength and excellence to lift them out of the literary mud and grime in which the writers of today deliberately wallow and secure for them a place upon the shelves of the household library for that reading, and re-reading which a worth while work inspires?
The writers of the present are producing only for the passing moment. Many of the modern novels are two thirds description of clothing that will go out of fashion and become ridiculous as the current style becomes more passe; descriptions of interiors and exteriors which are subject to a style dictation that is almost as whimsical; descriptions of amusements that are smart for the moment, conversation that is smart for the moment, interests that are considered 'the thing' for the moment.
There is nothing to treasure, or to quote, or to inspire. No part of the structure that bids the reader expend any energy to think, nor, for that matter does the average reader demand any reading that requires mental exertion. There is no desire to retain or to treasure any part of a book or story.
To make the whole as bad as it well can be made, into the froth of the transient interest sustained in the novel of today is poured what the public is pleased to term 'realism.' It is the high brow expression for a setting forth of the most vicious, degraded, cheap and base instincts of mankind. The 'sex thriller' is the achievement of the literature of the present, and what more disastrous comment on the literary taste of the public of today, or the depth to which some of the most gifted of the writers have descended.
There are a bright, shining, few among writers of novels and short stories, who have succeeded in keeping clean, who have refused to sully their gift in the red smear of nastiness and silliness that modern decadence of literary taste demands. It is to these that the next generation must look for contributions to their book shelves, provided the next generation buys books to keep and to read.
Nice question indeed, in view of the present outlook.
What sub-type of article is it?
Moral Or Religious
Social Reform
What keywords are associated?
Modern Literature
Book Shelves
Literary Decadence
Realism
Sex Thriller
Moral Decline
Transient Fiction
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Critique Of Modern Literature's Transience And Moral Decline
Stance / Tone
Critical Of Contemporary Literary Decadence, Hopeful For Enduring Clean Works
Key Arguments
Few Modern Books Will Survive Due To Focus On Fleeting Fashions And Lack Of Depth.
Contemporary Writing Wallows In Literary Mud Without Inspiration Or Quotable Content.
Modern Novels Emphasize Transient Descriptions Of Clothing, Interiors, And Amusements.
Readers Avoid Mental Exertion, Desiring Nothing To Treasure.
'Realism' In Current Literature Promotes Vicious And Base Instincts Via 'Sex Thrillers.'
A Few Clean Writers Resist Decadence And May Contribute To Future Bookshelves.
Questions If Next Generation Will Buy Lasting Books.