On Tue, 28 Jul 1998 [log in to unmask] wrote:
> ...Duncan's often too abrasive criticism...
> Andrew has to write out of his own personality -- we all do --
> that's the risk of the whole thing if, like him, you are trying to be
> honest...
- hmmm... without limiting the remark to Andrew Duncan, I'm tired of this
defence of boorishness as "trying to be honest". In my experience there's
no reason why honesty can't usually be combined with civility, especially
when the honest person involved has some claim to be considered a writer.
I see the value of a well-aimed rant - can enjoy it as much as anyone -
but it soon loses its impact when it happens repeatedly, and The
Plain-Speaking-Blunt-Human act (beloved in Northern stereotype fiction)
simply becomes ill-mannered. A key word in your original post seems to be
"often".
> Andrew, as far as I know, is no ally of mine but the quality
> of his work jumps out of the page.
Agreed.
RC
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