Tony Grist (poliphilo) wrote,
Tony Grist
poliphilo

On Opinions

Jonathan Jones got into trouble the other day for saying Terry Pratchett was rubbish while admitting he'd never done more than flick through one of his books in the library. And serve him right; Jonathan Jones is arrogant and opinionated- and loud. Besides, if one's going to sound off about something one should examine it thoroughly first. It's a rule I try to live by. For example, I'm pretty certain that 50 Shades of Grey is cack but I'm not going to say so because it would be a secondhand opoinion and there are enough of those floating round the world already.  On the other hand I'm happy to affirm that the Daily Mail is fascistic and hypocritical because I read it. Also- because I read it- I know it's not fascistic all the time.

There is however a part of me that sympathises with Jones because I'm not crazy about Pratchett either. (And, yes, I have read him)  I can see why people like him, but I have this quirk that I can't be doing with "funny" books. I'm happy with books that are incidentally funny (because life is incidentally funny)  but ones that set out to be a comedic experience weary me after about ten pages. And, yes, you're  right, I'm not fond of Douglas Adams either.

Or Wodehouse.

I nearly bought a Pratchett today. There were a couple on sale in one of the charity shops we drifted through and a little voice whispered, "But he's great, he's a national treasure, everyone loves him- you  should try him again." And then another voice chipped in and said, "To thine own self be true"- and I heeded it and kept the £2.50 in my pocket.
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