Comments on: Being Preachy

By: Robert Swartwood

Robert Swartwood — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 02:29:24 +0000

The only Ayn Rand I’ve read was Anthem. My wife has been dying to read The Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged. I’ve been putting off buying them for her

By: Linda

Linda — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 01:33:37 +0000

Oh, Ayn Rand and her Fountainhead. Philosophy tract wrapped in fiction. Still, I loved it. But might not have had my politics been different when I read as a younger person. I hate to say it, but sometimes Fahrenheit 451 comes off a little preachy, as do the later DUNE books… Peace, Linda

By: Robert Swartwood

Robert Swartwood — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 02:05:51 +0000

@ Jonny – I happen to like Sean Penn very much, actually. I think he’s a great actor. I don’t really consider myself a conservative or liberal, so what he says (or what other celebrities say) doesn’t really bother me as much as the fact that he thinks people should care what he says. If that makes sense. I mean, it’s one thing to hear his and others’ opinion, another for those celebrities to think we should follow them word-for-word, which I think (sadly) most of them do. And you may never have heard Paris Hilton’s views on Iraq or terrorism, but I’m sure they’re out there somewhere, and they’re a trip.

@ Gay – I’m with you on the book. Way over the top, even more than usual. The scene where the riot crowd won’t let them enter the town was a bit much, too. But again, beach read.

By: gaydegani

gaydegani — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 01:38:27 +0000

Just on another tact re same book. Felt the whole thing was way over the top. The opening intrigued me; felt very Stephen King-y (me as a fan of Deperation and the Regulators), but this it all seemed very contrived to me. By the time I got to the little AWOL speech–which I didn’t buy–I was pretty much dismissive of the whole thing. Like Reacher’s presence, the books are a ride, this one just didn’t hang together for me. I may have given it three stars though…since I find the whole star thing confusing.

By: Jonny Kelly

Jonny Kelly — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 01:14:17 +0000

You’re sort off right about authors being annoyingly preachy, personally if an author does sufficient research then the preachyness is understandable and interesting. People like Hubert Selby Jr., Gregory Benford, and George Orwell are all preach mofos, but they are done with such intelligence. Yes I do think Selby’s books are intelligent.
You’re wrong about celebrities voicing their opinion though. If you have the power to share your views with millions of people then do it, don’t be a stupid celebrate who can’t think for themselves. I’ve never heard Paris Hilton’s views on Iraq or terrorism.
I’m guessing that Sean Penn is a pain to you, but really when he preaches his liberal thoughts and feelings I get warm inside.

By: Aaron Polson

Aaron Polson — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 01:10:06 +0000

Bill Waterson with Calvin and Hobbes. He knew it was getting a little preachy, though, and retired. Have to respect that. I love Calvin, but toward the end of the strip, he was becoming a little too introspective about his place in the universe.

By: Robert Swartwood

Robert Swartwood — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 00:03:04 +0000

I didn’t mean it to come across that I can’t stand Koontz. I happen to like him too, though lately his stories and characters all seem to run together. But when he’s on, he’s on, and creates some of the best suspense I’ve ever read. And when he gets into all that preaching stuff, I just roll my eyes and skim on. I’ve come to expect it, actually.

By: Spencer

Spencer — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 21:14:40 +0000

You’re right and I applaud your rant. There’s nothing worse than skipping happily through a novel and being extracted from the story for a few pages to try and soak up the author’s point.

It can be done so well and so easily without the train wreck.

I think my tolerance may be higher than yours. I’m a big fan of Dean Koontz and not because I agree with his preaching. I think he and I are polar opposites when it comes to how we view the world. But because I love his story-telling so much I’m a big supporter of Camp Koontz. (Or is that Kamp Koontz?)

Great post. Keep ‘em coming!