Denis Johnson Wins 2007 National Book Award in Fiction

[yeondu2]

Who's the random hot lady in the fringe dress at the beginning? Ha ha, it's so incongruous.

[zoetropez]

"Pig's Big Win!" National Book Award Winner 2010! Denis Johnson is a hell of a great guy!

[dinnerbucket9]

As much as I admire Carver I think his influence has chastened countless young writers, and encouraged many who should not have been so encouraged. Johnson is a special kind of beast and bully...and has brought food and beast language [ W. Gass] back into the game.

[heartworm666]

I am a huge fan of Carver's as well, as a young aspiring writer myself I think that I understand exactly what you mean. Carver is so particular in his writing style and his voice and although I know he hated this term, "minimalism" seems to be a trend with many younger authors. If this is what you mean, then I understand. But Denis Johnson, especially "Jesus' Son" is very obviously influenced by Carver. In fact, Carver taught and drank with Johnson during their time in Iowa.

[johnmonk66]

doesn't mrs. prose say you must slow read a book? yet she read 300 in one summer and was able to judge them fairly?

she sounds like the wind of a hollow tree, an unheard humming, bees in fog.

[dinnerbucket9]

bees in fog......the psychic distress of a sleeping squirrel....

[johnmonk66]

i woke up a long time ago

unless i am dreaming it

[toReasonWhy]

She never said anything about "slow read." She said "patiently read" and "close read," and simultaneously she wonderfully showcased how to incorporate skillful, in her case brilliant, slow reading into the thematic of a book. It's merely coincidental that she reads quickly and still with great patience and sensitivity.

[johnmonk66]

i am speaking about a very good book she wrote called 'how to read like a writer'

[toReasonWhy]

So am I

[dinnerbucket9]

I am not aware of anything Johnson said about Iraq. [ And would like to know what he said} THAT said, I have just finished ALREADY DEAD and am convinced he is, along with Philip Roth, the primary force in American literature.

[01Silverado]

Hi dinnerbucket - I don't know if Mr. Johnson's reporting of his most recent trip to the Middle East has been printed (his wife mentions his assignment there during this acceptance speech) as of yet. I hope it's available soon. I certainly agree with your assessment of Denis Johnson's skills. In the meantime, I am reminded of the main character's impressions of that region in the final pages of THE NAME OF THE WORLD.

[dinnerbucket9]

I am ashamed to admit I have not read THE NAME OF THE WORLD as yet [ and so will, soon deserve The Punishments]. I have, however, recently finished SEEK,which I found dull-minded and predictable. That said, I hold fast to my opinion of his gifts as a novelist.

[01Silverado]

I'm very happy to see Mr. Johnson win this award for his beautiful novel, "Tree of Smoke." He's been my favorite writer for many years - and his wife presents a fine acceptance. But he needs to get out of Iraq.