Ignore below. I take it all back. I've just got by BÖK of the Bok
shelf and dipped into it again and found myself laughing and being
impressed. I might have to have a complete rethink. But then I'd
probably read it the next day and think the same as I did below.
Strange stuff this appreciation lark isn't it.
Tim A.
On 30 Aug 2010, at 09:58, Tim Allen wrote:
> On 30 Aug 2010, at 07:21, David Bircumshaw wrote:
>
>> If I can hazard something here (i.e. not make any claim to a
>> defining statement) I suspect that it could be possible to consider
>> Christian Bok and Carol Ann Duffy as occupying analogous cultural
>> positions in that each is a fairly representative instance of a
>> poet adopted by the managerial structures in their own regional
>> cultures.
>
> Wow David.
>> That is to suggest that Duffy's social realism lite and Bok's
>> recycled Oulipo perform (or have performed in recent years) very
>> much the same kind of function locally.
>
> I really like your phrase 'social realism lite' - perfect. Bok's
> 'recycled Oulipo' is also a pretty perfect way of putting it, though
> perhaps a little unfair, - that's not perfect is it? . I admit I
> have trouble with EUNOIA, not because it has been so successful
> (though I hope that isn't some sort of subconscious reason on my
> part) but because I just don't think it works - it isn't all that
> good. It is fun, yes, but the fun soon turns to boredom. The bits
> that work, that vibrate, are too few and far between - it lacks
> Oulipo's sparkle and charm and, more importantly, its lasting
> quality - but I admit this is difficult to pin down. The most
> extraordinary thing about it however is still the fact that it was
> picked up on, then praised by people who we know have heaped insult
> after insult on similar but superior stuff.
>
> Mad mad world.
>
> Cheers
>
> Tim A.
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