Great stuff here. XD I've been a fan of Liz's for a while, but these really hit home, haha.
The whole thing about the Colored People novel made me think about how plagiarism is very poorly handled in the Hollywood world, even WITH proof. Halen Ellison sued over the show Future Cop which stole from his short story Brillo and actually WON, but this is like... one of the only recent wins for authors suing over their work being plagiarized, which is a real shame.
Thank you for introducing me to Liz Shipton! 😃 I also hate romantasy and am becoming increasingly more selective about my reading. This is somewhat problematic as I’m a HS librarian, but I do a lot of first chapter reads and skimming.
Also, since my natural state is living under a rock, I appreciate learning about the novel “Colored People:” it sounds great. FWIW, you may want to reconsider your use of the term “mulatto” in your review. I think biracial or multiracial are much preferred identifiers.
The ‘mulatto’ thing is interesting in the book. It’s the protagonist’s choice to describe herself and there are reasons for this. She does a lot of research on mulattos while writing her book and disdains the term ‘biracial.’ This is actually a very big part of the novel—who she is and where she belongs/fits, how she thinks of and describes herself.
Yes to Liz Shipton! She is so funny. 😂 I’m glad you like her.
Thank you for your response and clarification! I was surprised to see the word being used, but now it makes sense 😃.
It came up recently in conversation with colleagues around how many characters in Everett’s book James are biracial. (So much to talk about with that book!)
I read Colored Television and about to comment on it here so anyone reading this comment--WARNING, there may be spoilers. Anyway, i don't remember having the same thoughts as you about the plot, though I'm guessing such things ran through my head. Mostly I thought the book has such a slim and obvious plot line. I thought things would go more haywire or the plot would thicken, but no, it did not. So while the book was enjoyable enough, I haven't recommended it to anyone. In fact, I'd forgotten the entire plot until just now when I read your newsletter here. And i only read the book about two months ago. (Well, I don't remember many books that I read, so perhaps it's not all that unusual that i forgot this one. I DID finish the book, so I liked it enough to finish it.)
I have to admit, I forget plots as well. Particularly when I listen to a book, I will sometimes not even remember that I listened at all. That worries me a bit in the ‘what’s going on with my brain’ way. But if a book really strikes me, moves me, I do tend to remember it (and that emotional response).
Ahhhh Snoopy! One of my favorites too as a child. I would devour anything Snoopy, Charlie Brown, Lucy and company…
And then I realized—we still can!
Great stuff here. XD I've been a fan of Liz's for a while, but these really hit home, haha.
The whole thing about the Colored People novel made me think about how plagiarism is very poorly handled in the Hollywood world, even WITH proof. Halen Ellison sued over the show Future Cop which stole from his short story Brillo and actually WON, but this is like... one of the only recent wins for authors suing over their work being plagiarized, which is a real shame.
It is pretty crazy. So much of our entertainment comes from (starts from) novelists and story writers. Why are they not valued?
Thank you for introducing me to Liz Shipton! 😃 I also hate romantasy and am becoming increasingly more selective about my reading. This is somewhat problematic as I’m a HS librarian, but I do a lot of first chapter reads and skimming.
Also, since my natural state is living under a rock, I appreciate learning about the novel “Colored People:” it sounds great. FWIW, you may want to reconsider your use of the term “mulatto” in your review. I think biracial or multiracial are much preferred identifiers.
Happy New Year, Heidi!
The ‘mulatto’ thing is interesting in the book. It’s the protagonist’s choice to describe herself and there are reasons for this. She does a lot of research on mulattos while writing her book and disdains the term ‘biracial.’ This is actually a very big part of the novel—who she is and where she belongs/fits, how she thinks of and describes herself.
Yes to Liz Shipton! She is so funny. 😂 I’m glad you like her.
Thank you for your response and clarification! I was surprised to see the word being used, but now it makes sense 😃.
It came up recently in conversation with colleagues around how many characters in Everett’s book James are biracial. (So much to talk about with that book!)
I always appreciate your columns. Great observation at the top about out-of-control men . . .
Thanks! Happy New Year, Frank!
I read Colored Television and about to comment on it here so anyone reading this comment--WARNING, there may be spoilers. Anyway, i don't remember having the same thoughts as you about the plot, though I'm guessing such things ran through my head. Mostly I thought the book has such a slim and obvious plot line. I thought things would go more haywire or the plot would thicken, but no, it did not. So while the book was enjoyable enough, I haven't recommended it to anyone. In fact, I'd forgotten the entire plot until just now when I read your newsletter here. And i only read the book about two months ago. (Well, I don't remember many books that I read, so perhaps it's not all that unusual that i forgot this one. I DID finish the book, so I liked it enough to finish it.)
I have to admit, I forget plots as well. Particularly when I listen to a book, I will sometimes not even remember that I listened at all. That worries me a bit in the ‘what’s going on with my brain’ way. But if a book really strikes me, moves me, I do tend to remember it (and that emotional response).