tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4940224740718934743.post4503933126112986536..comments2024-03-10T04:29:20.044-04:00Comments on Mad Genius Club: Struggling through a literary prize winnerSarah A. Hoythttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17478124095732219352noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4940224740718934743.post-51970009189328982182008-11-14T14:59:00.000-05:002008-11-14T14:59:00.000-05:00This something of a hot button subject with me... ...This something of a hot button subject with me... It all comes down to 'Why does the prize exist?'<BR/>Now, you hear variations on 'to encourage excellence or recognise talent.' But, well that was the all, then all the award committee has to do is to write the author a nice letter and send him/her a check (or a cheque) and that is the end of it. The minute that anyone puts it in the papers, or shoves a sticker on the cover... it basically says the real purpose of this award is to commend the book to readers. And that is where it all falls down if a book is merely least objectionable to everyone on the panel, or is politically correct but unpalatable, or Fred the author rigged the voting with all his friends (you nominate me this year, and I nominate you next...) Because this is the same as the difference between working socialism and the disaster that was Albania (for example). Socialism works very well if everyone puts in their absolute best. In very small groups it actually works really well, to everyone's benefit. But as soon as people free-load on the system, or cheat, it stops working. And that -realistically - is what giving an award to drekk is. Freeloading on the reputation of that commendation. Which means that the commendation is thereafter considered at best reduced in trustworthiness and at worst means all other winners of the commentdation are also considered drekk, unread.<BR/><BR/>Quite frankly, by not considering the fact that this IS a public commendation (and therefore the book must appeal as well as have whatever other merit), the judges have done the award a dis-service, not to mention urinating on reading general.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12315551718688781746noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4940224740718934743.post-71682275852064608982008-11-14T11:25:00.000-05:002008-11-14T11:25:00.000-05:00The Daily Mail ran a wonderful scam Where they put...The Daily Mail ran a wonderful scam Where they put money-vouchers half way through the latest Booker winner sitting on shop's bookshelves. All you had to do was ring the Mail to claim the prize. Nobody rang.<BR/><BR/>Booker prize novels aren't for reading. They are to put on coffee tables when guests come round.<BR/><BR/>JohnJohn Lambsheadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04598696442104566164noreply@blogger.com