Why the Novel Matters

Re:Why the Novel Matters by scottlocklin on Sunday October 20, 2019 @08:53PM (#21308464)

Can HN name any living modern novelists who matter? Not science fiction cheese, or mediocrities touted by the NYC circle-jerk; someone who will be remembered in 100 years. Cormac Mccarthy is the only one that comes to mind. Maybe Tito Perdue. That's pretty much all I can think of for English language anyway.

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Re:Why the Novel Matters by spookybones on Monday October 21, 2019 @11:48AM (#21313613)

One hundred years is way too long to predict, but Pynchon. Perhaps Delillo and Murakami. Roth. Also Bolaño, though he died in 2003.

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Re:Why the Novel Matters by zeroonetwothree on Monday October 21, 2019 @01:19AM (#21309524)

Predicting 100 years ahead is extremely difficult. Just look at authors from 100 years ago.

Toni Morrison is close to a safe bet but sadly doesn’t meet your criteria any longer.

So Pynchon seems like the clear winner. He’s the James Joyce of postmodernism so I’d be very surprised if he isn’t read in 100 years. If you want more accessible literature there is Franzen and Chabon.

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Re:Why the Novel Matters by tomjakubowski on Monday October 21, 2019 @01:05AM (#21309482)

I'm not really well-read so others will have a better idea, but Pynchon, Alice Munro, and Murakami, at least, are living legends. Toni Morrison and Philip Roth just died this year.

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Re:Why the Novel Matters by teambayleaf on Monday October 21, 2019 @09:28PM (#21319488)

I'm seeing James Tiptree Jr being still relevant 30+ years after her death. Same with PK dick. Le Guin (died last year) is a good candidate too.

I bet a sizable number of concurrent SF authors outlives 100 years.

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Re:Why the Novel Matters by EliRivers on Monday October 21, 2019 @02:20PM (#21315475)

I take more solace in imagining (hoping) which authors won't be remembered. Lee Child and Dan Brown, I hope :)

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Re:Why the Novel Matters by joenot443 on Monday October 21, 2019 @12:39PM (#21314290)

Personally, I see Pynchon and DeLillo's legacy long outliving McCarthy's.

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Re:Why the Novel Matters by clSTophEjUdRanu on Monday October 21, 2019 @09:39AM (#21312085)

Stephen King, David Mitchell off the top of my head.

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Re:Why the Novel Matters by spookybones on Monday October 21, 2019 @11:52AM (#21313659)

Stephen King definitely has a chance, not particularly for his craft, but his memorable characters. Carrie, It, Christine, Annie Wilkes, and Jack Torrance to name a few. Granted, movies will definitely help his longevity.

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