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From: brust@hyper.UUCP (Steven Brust)
Newsgroups: net.sf-lovers
Subject: Re: Critics and art
Message-ID: <246@hyper.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 9-Sep-85 17:30:58 EDT
Article-I.D.: hyper.246
Posted: Mon Sep  9 17:30:58 1985
Date-Received: Wed, 11-Sep-85 04:52:53 EDT
References: <3532@topaz.RUTGERS.EDU>
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> From: Peter Reiher <reiher@LOCUS.UCLA.EDU>
> 
> My point, before and now, is that one must beware of those who claim
> that readability is a *necessary* criterion for artistic greatness.
> Essentially, what I'm saying is this:  I read a book, work hard at it
> because it isn't an easy book to read, get blown away by it, and tell
> people that it's a great book.  They come back and say, "It isn't easy,
> so you're wrong."  Moreover, they refuse to consider the possibility that
> expending more effort might convince them that there is something to my
> point of view.  I can accept that some people do not want to spend effort
> on reading, that they read to relax and hear a good story, but I do object
> to having them then tell me that their criteria for art are better than
> mine, and that is precisely what some people have been saying.
> 
>         			Peter Reiher
> 				reiher@LOCUS.UCLA.EDU
>         			{...ihnp4,ucbvax,sdcrdcf}!ucla-cs!reiher

I read John Crowley's LITTLE, BIG, worked hard at it because
it wasn't an easy book to read, and was blown away by it.  I
have recommended it to many people.  I am very glad I read it.
It was beautifully crafted, and said things that I think are
important to say, and looked into things that deserved looking
into.  It was not a great book, however; it was too dificult
to read to be a great book.

I am, in fact, argueing that my criteria for art are better
than yours.  I am prepared to be proved wrong.  I entered
the argument because others were putting forward critera for
art that I feel to be invalid.  I have never objected to be told
that my criteria are inferior or incorrect, so long as I can
disagree.

I am remaining in the argument because I am enjoying it.

			-- SKZB