2.14.2006

handmaid's tale

the is one of my favorite books, the other being 'of human bondage'. while there are many reasons to like this book i suppose i love it especially because of the language. i am especially drawn to quiet contemplative and somber tones. which is why in general i like south asian lit. it is a projection of an outer peace but you kno the river runs deeper than it appears. i think to many who read, they don't fully appreciate the technicalities of language. shorter words and sentences drive you forward. long windy sentences slow you down. certain sounds can do the same. so when a character is angry the sentences themselves should reflect that. harsh consonants, lack of adverbs and adjectives, shorter more abrupt sentences. subtle alliteration smooths out sentences and the calms the reader. good writing is more than just randomly chosen words strung together to form a story. good writing requires a lot of thought. getting the words right. the sentences. the structure. each word has its own taste. even articles. good writing blends these tastes together to form something new. each flavor subtly distinct but also blurring into the next. writing is an art. it appeals to more than just the eyes. some people have the ability to actually see music. colors usually (this was in newsweek a while ago). but really. any good art should appeal to more than just one sense. writing, in it's most obvious way appeals to sight. when read aloud, to sound. but to the conscientious reader it's both. always. and sometimes even more.

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