At first, excuse me, I don't speak english very well...
I was very surprised to notice that in the resolute answers. Sure that Poe, Orwell, Steinbeck or Philip K Dick are among my favorite authors, but nobody mentions here Herman Hesse, Stefan Zweig, Dostoievski, Tchekhov, Baudelaire, Boris Vian... Is that normal? Are Americans read especially anglo saxon litterature? I'd like to have your opinion on that. Thanks a lot.
2007-08-16 08:27:19 · 6 answers · asked by spleen1848 3 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Books & Authors
jordy: if you haven't heard of these ones, I can't do nothing for you...
johnny: Herman Hesse or Stefan Zweig have written during the 20th century, so, dated, I don't think so...
2007-08-16 09:40:42 · update #1
Dear Spleen, It is a matter of exposure. I was fortunate enough to have schooling and an inquisitive nature that led me beyond Anglo and American authors. There are so many countries on the planet, and most of them have authors that are accessible at your schools, colleges, universities, public libraries, and Amazon.com! Most people's favorite authors are probably from their own country, however. I am an American, an I have a very diverse favorite list, beginning with Beowulf. My English Lit instructor read it to us in the language in which it was written. I have a copy of it in its original form with the translation in modern English.
2007-08-16 14:43:37 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends on the topic. I have seem Dostoevsky and Hesse mentioned many many times. Unfortunately most of the discussions here are concerned with contemporary American literature. This is just related to the demographic of the users.
Also I do not think classic literature is emphasized in the American school systems the way it should be...
2007-08-16 15:38:01 · answer #2 · answered by Ralph 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I do like Dostoevsky and other Russian authors. But often translations just don't do the book justice because the author, writing in his or her native tongue, has a mastery over that language which makes their works interesting and enjoyable to read. Translations sometimes can't capture the proper mood or convey nuances that can only be expressed in a native language.
2007-08-16 15:36:23 · answer #3 · answered by Emily 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Not true of everyone. I love Galdos, Pardo Bazan, Quiroga, ...
culturally, we're a bit isolated here and it's possible that people haven't been exposed to what we call "world literature".
2007-08-16 15:39:19 · answer #4 · answered by Catalina 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
most of us haven't even heard of those names so it only figures that they wouldn't be our favorite authors
2007-08-16 15:33:09 · answer #5 · answered by ~*Grasp my Heartstrings, Baby*~ 2 · 0⤊ 3⤋
Not everybody loves them, I think they are dated actually ....
2007-08-16 15:33:55 · answer #6 · answered by pop 4 · 0⤊ 4⤋