Literate Reply

Problems With Literature and its Antithesis.

People love to feel smart and in the know, and what better way to do so than to praise a story which is intentionally obscure. To wit:

"I love how the man's hair is compared to an oven mitt in Dachau. Fabulous!"

"The metaphor for 'chrysalis' as a bass fiddle with no strings and a small pistol" is so profoundly smart, and on the mark!

"Love how you make the boots to moths analogy really emotionally resonate. I cried."

"Reading your work, I feel my innards writhing. It could be construed as nausea but I read it as awe."

"The way you have humanized, or should I say Americanized, that euphemism moved me in ways I never imagined possible."

"Where did you get your genius? Is it bottled? Can I get it from my local apothecary?" Yes, I said apothecary. You have broadened my vocabulary.

"Men throughout history have tried to embody this kind of emotional honesty. I am not a man, but I put all my faith in you."

"Simply brilliant. Consider my life changed. I will never scratch your back in an exchange ever again."