Thursday got away from me this week… but I couldn’t help but share today’s BTT ! One of my favorite topics…
Today’s question was suggested by Barbara:
Do you think any current author is of the same caliber as Dickens, Austen, Bronte, or any of the classic authors? If so, who, and why do you think so? If not, why not? What books from this era might be read 100 years from now?
The first name that came to mind was Toni Morrison. No question.
I think to become a “classic” a writer has to break boundaries and do something (characterization, tone, setting, syntax), remarkably well… maybe at a level or in a way that we’ve never seen before.
But, what do we do with someone like Dave Eggers — who is breaking boundaries with this vision of narrative nonfiction — but is very bound by the context of his time period?
So, I throw the question to all of you!! WHO will be remembered in 100 years and why?
I loved What is the What! I’d forgotten to list any non-fiction authors.
Truman Capote was the original barrier-breaker for narrative non-fiction when he wrote, IN COLD BLOOD. I think he is definitely a classic writer who others have since emulated.
Maya Angelou was the first to pop in my mind!
Renee
Alice Munro is the only person who comes to mind and perhaps Marilynne Robinson though her books are shorter…
Here is my list. Non-fiction is an interesting choice. I’d put Simon Winchester on my non-fiction list.
Thank you for the comments, everyone! I have not yet read Simon Winchester or Alice Munro… I’ll put both on my TBR list!
Good choices so far…