I have been reading a very popular new novel that "everyone' is reading. The story is sweet -- full of kindness, generosity, and heart-warming connections: innocence. Happy endings, mostly.
It is so much of a tonic for darkness that that I find it lacking it lacking in basic drama. After all, real MFA workshop drama is "desire plus danger," and the lack of easy goodness and grace is what makes for good storytelling. I have learned that disturbing political fragmentation is what makes writing worthwhile and literary.
I cringed at the sweetness of this current best-seller, the avoidance of necessary tension, edginess, and existential disconnect.
I see that from here as my problem. I want to learn to roll with literary comfort food without recoiling at its feel-good appeal. I want to be as a child, in Biblical parlance. to accept that some things are just low-brow, easily accessible diversion and insight. The insights are good ones for me. I do want to embody service, openness, generosity of spirit, and thoughtfulness, to engage with people where they are as an elder.
I short, I want to suspend disbelief even when it may not be earned by what I deem literary merit. I can learn from that and perhaps return to writing with a child's excitement, enthusiasm even. Return to embracing my moments without examining them gift horses that they are.
I really must be getting old. Real old.
