Re: RARA-AVIS: Language and Prose

From: Cristoforo ( Cristoforo@mediaone.net)
Date: 17 Jan 2002


> I think it's possible to write rich prose without being distracting;
without
> taking the reader out of the story -- in essence, an _elegant_ turn of
> phrase. I have frequently read a novel, moving quickly through it,
enjoying
> it's plotting, pacing and dialogue, then gone back at some point and
re-read
> it, and found myself amazed at the author's genius in his use of the
> language. In this regard, I consider Chandler's writing a gift that keeps
on
> giving. I think most of us can pick our own favorite example. I find it
> tiresome to be repeatedly reminded of the authors own cleverness.

I find Cain's "Double Indemnity" a good example of this. While his writing can be considered short and clipped and not at all "elegant", it is very stylistic, serves the story extremely well and dare I say it, for my money, almost poetic in it's terseness.

Brad

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