Daniel Mendelsohn and Laura Miller toss around the year’s literary disappointments (no bogus memoirs exposed!), shenanigans (lots of bogus reader reviews exposed), and the nature of bad reviews.
Tag: 12.31.12
Canadian Stage Pioneer Jean Roberts, 86
“Jean Roberts was a pioneer of Canadian theatre who, although Scottish-born, led key institutions in the 1960s and 1970s to help establish an indigenous dramatic tradition devoted to local playwrights rather than foreign imports.”
How To Get Famous In 2013
It’s two words: viral video.
An Infinity Of Infinities
“In the ever-evolving view of scientists, philosophers and other scholars, there really is no single, implacable entity called infinity. Instead, there are infinities, multiplicities of the limit-free that come in a vast variety of shapes, sizes, purposes and charms.”
When You Write: A Little Self Humiliation Is Desirable
“It’s counterintuitive, but qualities that make you likable and popular in real life — good looks, wild success, happy marriage, lovely home, healthy confidence — will make a reader despise you. The more of a wreck you are from the start, the more the audience is hooked.”
Does It Matter If Pianists Perform With Scores?
“Somehow the idea persists that for a pianist to use a score in a performance suggests a lack of mastery or sufficient preparation.”
Words That Should Be Banned
According to a quick database search, “spoiler alert” occurred 39 times in the print edition of The New York Times in 2012, up from 31 in 2011, while “double down” occurred 59 times, up from 38.
After Revolution, Libya’s Creativity Stirs
“Libya does not have many famous voices, artists and poets. But that could change, as a country that was robbed of creativity and passion for decades starts to rediscover its hidden talents.”
Work At Home? It Sounds Good, But…
“As glorious as working remotely may sound, research shows that it doesn’t always reach expectations.”
2012 Hollywood Box Office Explained
“Theatrically released films grossed about $10.8 billion this year, but just five films in 2012… accounted for nearly half ($4.99 billion) of that tally.”