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Thursday, December 13, 2018

Who are the one-hit wonders of literature?

Discussion last night w/ friend and poet AF led to reflection on one-hit wonders of literature. AF had seen one of the many lists of the 100 greatest books or 100 greatest writers, and we concurred that to be among the 100 greatest writers an author needed more than one book to his or her credit, at least generally. (AF wondered about Carson McCullers, but I noted that she has at least 2 major works.) There are exceptions of course: Cervantes, obviously; the Brontes (despite publication of juvenalia); Proust, although I'd count the Search as 7 distinct books; Ralph Ellison (despite a posthumous publication) - all of whom are clearly major writers. But who are the Juice Newtons - the true one-hit wonders - of literature? Top of the list probably is the posthumously published Lampedusa (The Leopard); AF and I shared our amazement that this work from an unknown was turned down by numerous publishers - draw your own conclusions. Then there's Harper Lee (posthumous publication aside) and Margaret Mitchell - one book each, but each one an industry unto itself. Other nominees: William Gaddis (The Recognitions, which I admit I've never read). Perhaps add to the list two recently deceased writers who had break-through novels in the 80s: Katherine Dunn (Geek Love) and Joan Chase (During the Reign of the Queen of Persia). No others come to mind, but I'd be interested in other nominees. And of course who knows which debut novelist of recent years will fold it up and move onto other things in life; I sure hope Atticus Lish and Gabriel Tallent are at work on follow-up novels.

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