Re: GG's Writing Style

[Robert Kunath <kunath@hilltop.ic.edu>]

I generally like both Gould's writing style and his humor (to pick up an
earlier thread--and, no, I can't listen to the 25th anniversary extravaganza
either).  But much of Gould's written humor--especially of the
self-deprecating variety--is superb.  For my money, there is very little
Gould writing that is so charming--or so humorous--as the biographical intro
to his portrait of Stokowski, where he recounts his first experience of
"Fantasia."  When Gould was writing in appreciation of others--as with
Stokowski and Ernst Krenek--his writing was splendid, and he communicates
his enthusiasm wonderfully.  His self-deprecating humor and generally crisp
writing are also seen to considerable advantage, I think, in "Glenn Gould
Interviews Glenn Gould About Glenn Gould."

Robert
----- Original Message -----
From: "Anne M. Marble" <amarble@sff.net>
To: <F_MINOR@EMAIL.RUTGERS.EDU>
Sent: Monday, July 16, 2001 10:05 AM
Subject: GG's Writing Style


> GG's writing style is another aspect that comes under
> (constant) criticism. Yes, his writing was often
> convoluted, and he liked big words. But was this accidental, perhaps an
outgrowth of the way he talked?
> Maybe he meant it to come out that way.
>
> I'm not saying he shouldn't have been edited a bit more now
> and then. <wink> Still, he had a voice. When you edit essays
> and the like, you're supposed to preserve the voice of the
> author, even if your instinct is screaming, _Isn't there a
> shorter word you can use?_
>
> What do you think is the most difficult element of GG's
> writing style? Is it the writing style and the word choice?
> Or is it the use of phrases and names from popular culture,
> references to Canadian landmarks (such as highways), etc.?
>
> Do you like or dislike GG's writing style? What are the
> elements that make you like and/or dislike it?
>
> Extra brownie points to anyone who can imitate GG's writing
> style in their response. ;->
>
> Anne M. Marble
> amarble@sff.net
>
> P.S. Well, at least Glenn Gould never wrote like the guy who
> wrote the Eye of Argon. I mean, GG obviously loved his
> Thesaurus, but unlike Jim Theis, he didn't take it out on
> dates. Hope this URL still works:
> http://www.cybercomm.net/~dano/hum-eyeofargon.html
>