And Roth?

What was the conclusion: is he a nice person?

@Arnon, I believe this is the first time a post of yours makes me feel really envious. Michael Cunningham is my favourit author. Yes and I'm aware some critics say what he writes isn't literature', whatever that may mean. Do you like his work?

Noa

I don't know his work.

That's wonderful because then I get to recommend his novel Flesh and Blood.

Since when is the question if the writer is a nice person relevant for the quality of his work?

By the way, is Philip Roth gay? Because this may well colour Cunningham's judgement a little.

I would start with The Hours.

@Margot, taking into account who you're recommending Cunningham's work to (Arnon), I would definitely choose Flesh & Blood over The Hours. Wouldn't you - on giving this a weighed thought - agree?

@Noa: it's a long time since I've read both books, but I think Flesh and Blood is very heavy, like having to eat a whole plate of ice cream and apple pie at once. And when you read The Hours you know if you like his style or not, meaning you can always opt for the grand dessert later. Or you could rent the movie.

Noa Fenenga

No, Philip Roth is not gay. He's been married twice, the second time to actress Claire Bloom. Do you really think a gay person would write about male/female relationships the way he does? It is worth noting that he himself says that he doesn't ilve up to his reputation as a "crazed penis".

Who cares if Roth is a "nice person". What is a "nice person" anyway? Perhaps being a "nice person" is not something we should aspire to be. It soulds quite dreadful to me.

Dear Mieke

What is it these days with questions and answers....
Nobody has suggested yet that a nice writer is relevant for the quality of his work.

yours,

Eric

Dear Carlos

What you wrote a bit earlier struck me, therefore my question:
If you don't know what a 'nice' person is, how then do you know it is not something we should aspire to be?

yours,

Eric

Eric

The discussion itself if a certain writer is a nice person or not is in my mind an indecent one. The only thing that matters is his work. The artist itself is from no importance. How he is as a private person should remain private. Every artist has that right and privilege. The alternative is a paparazzisociety. Everyone knows to what that leads.

@ Carlos, I've never read a book by Philip Roth. I just know Cunningham's work.

I find lots of photographs made of Cunningham very repulsive. Why am i saying this... well, i found it weird to see his picture next to the text and it made me wonder about more. So i googled and came across so much vanity,supposed to be sexy. Than i would prefer the actor we spoke about some time ago.
But maybe he just resembles one of the worst men i discussed my works with.
This doesn't interest no one here.
Let's go back to Arnon's soap. Without being unfriendly, isn't this a strange thing, this weblog? Or what is wrong with me? I haven't felt jealousy towards Arnon being seated next to Michael. What kind of group is this? Do you all change your names now and than? Or do you all know eachother?
Why am i typing this nonsense. O god, i need attention. I think it is my lack of attention. I don't use my moblile, i am almost dead so to say.

And to all: it is not of course so very special wether Roth is a nice person but it is the idea that someone claims to know such things about this man who is known to be very private.

@Hannah, I remember you frequently visited and commented on this blog quite soon after Arnon started it. So you must know the answers. Also - you're an artist right? So consider this: how does the prospect of being at a festival abroad, enjoying a dinner with only artists, and finding yourself seated next to Damien Hirst sound to you?

Noa

Together with Damien Hirst? I wouldn't be impressed. It's not because his work gets a lot of money you actually have to like it.
My favourite is Anish Kapoor.

Dear Mieke

Gossiping about a person is also respecting someone's privacy; and -as as the entry of A.G. shows- entertaining.
But this leaves untouched that nobody suggested that a nice writer is relevant for the quality of his work.

yours,

Eric

Eric

The suggestion is implied by the gossip.

Eric

If gossip means respect, then I am glad I don't have you around.

Mieke

***Gossip doesn't mean respect, you know that I know that.
I didn't write that.
In most cases it 's jealousy, I guess.
***I don't agree that the suggestion is implied by the gossip.
I would say that the writers at presence admire Roth as a writer, or are jealous of his status.
What they hope is that somebody has at least a nasty story about his private life.

***And hee, if you detest gossiping so much why not throw it to A.G..
He "discussed this question at length during a dinner for the participants.... ".

Eric

Is Phlip Roth a nice person?

This question was maybe the only thing the participants at the dinner table could think about to talk about. 'Is Arnon Grunberg a nice person?' could not
be discussed, could it?