As we used to say in my native Georgia, I don't think this
dead skunk is going to get any flatter no matter how many
times we run over it. But having just returned from a
bookbuying binge in London with Art Scott and Geoff Bradley,
I can't resist rolling a tire one last time over this now
flat thread.
I completely agree with Bob T. that a very good writer can
make us believe anything they want us to believe. That's
their business and more power to them. As long as they give
me a good story and fine writing, they have fulfilled their
end of the contract.
Have I been fooled about gender? Certainly. I was very
surprised to learn that James Tiptree Jr. was a woman.
Surprised but pleased that she had pulled it off for so long.
Of course, Robert Silverberg who wrote an introduction to one
of her collections proclaiming his certainty of her maleness
had egg on his face but he accepted it gracefully. Whether he
thought he had a special psychic ability or not I cannot say.
But life does have a way of slapping the absolutism out of
people.
Never had a chance to test this with Sandra Scoppettone/Jack
Early as Sandra let me in on the secret before I read the
Early novels. As I recall our conversations and letters from
that time, she adopted the Early name for more than fear of
gender bias. She was also convinced that there was an
anti-Italian bias among reviewers of that time. A good writer
under either name, my favorite novel by her was published
under her own name before she was shelved in the mystery
section of stores.
On to other topics. While visiting the store "Murder One" in
London I picked up a copy of Charles Willefford's WRITING
& OTHER BLOOD SPORTS. Cost me 25 pounds but I have had
more than that amount of pleasure in just what I was able to
sample on the Eurostar train back to Brussels. I am a
Willeford fan and love his voice but I think anyone
interested in writing would find this collection of his
non-fiction pieces (reviews, obituraries, etc.) worth the
price.
Richard Moore
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