American or British literature? - Writers Forum

Mermaid on the breakwater · 10-13-2007, 12:26 PM

Which do you guys prefer? Which authors do you like from both areas? Should be a fun one.

Up the England lol. If that doesn't get you inspired for debate I don't know what will.

Kinniku Mantaro · 10-14-2007, 09:10 AM

It's a hard question to answer really; I think to begin with the question implies there's a large difference between literature from both cultures, when save from the odd difference in spelling and grammar I don't think there is much of a difference at all.

Also one has to remember British literature is naturally much more varied as England has been around for a hell of a lot longer than America

I'm pretty sure American literature didn't have many Shakespeare's lurking about for example. Personally I think the books I prefer depend entirely on style, plot, development etc. not where the literature was written.

Mermaid on the breakwater · 10-14-2007, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kinniku Mantaro

It's a hard question to answer really; I think to begin with the question implies there's a large difference between literature from both cultures, when save from the odd difference in spelling and grammar I don't think there is much of a difference at all.

Also one has to remember British literature is naturally much more varied as England has been around for a hell of a lot longer than America

I'm pretty sure American literature didn't have many Shakespeare's lurking about for example. Personally I think the books I prefer depend entirely on style, plot, development etc. not where the literature was written.

Of course, but as a general rule which do you prefer? And there are differences that I've picked up on such as, American authors enjoy... Longer sentences. Not all of course.

Kinniku Mantaro · 10-14-2007, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Of course, but as a general rule which do you prefer?

In that case I suppose it must be British literature I prefer, but probably as I'm a fan of the classics such as 'Wuthering Heights', 'Pride And Prejudice', 'Hamlet' and etc. though I must admit to enjoying many of the American authors, such as Thomas Harris and Anne Rice. I can't really think of a solid reason why I prefer British works other than it just happens the majority of authors I read happen to be Brittish.

aspiretowrite · 10-14-2007, 11:52 AM

As a red blooded brit I defend British Literature zealously -from Chaucer to Tolkien to Rankin and Practhet we have shown versatility, vivid imagination and created beatutifully written sentences that just drip off the tongue with such joy. However when I think back to the likes of Fenimore-Cooper (whom I think is fantastic) to F Scott Fitzgerald, Jack Kerouac and Kurt Vonnegut, American Literature has contributed true literary works of art to libraries across the world, that woud seem lacking without them. At the end of the day I guess if the only inspiration a book gives you is for use as toilet paper then it doesn't matter where it comes from - bin it.

lin · 10-14-2007, 02:15 PM

I would say that "American English" has become the default over the years, just as Latin American Spanish is more important than the usage in Spain.

And American Writing is defiinitely the 900 pound gorilla of current world lit, not just in books, but in screenplays and songs.

That said, I have to say that there's a certain flavor to the really fine contemporary Brit writer's use of the Mother Tongue that shines through.

A great example would be George MacDonald Frazier of the "Flashman" series. Not only does he capture the structure and sense of English from the Victorian period he depicts, his modern narration is flawless and completely transparent...you only notice the style when you are nodding your head at a beautifully turned phrase.
Tom Sharpe is another one whose command of English always pleases me when I'm not laughing.

There is a formality in "high English" that has been lost in the colonies. A phrase like "otherwise he will get no advantage from its use" just doesn't have an equivalent level of tone in the US. You try to get formal here and it sounds stiff and stilted.

Writer Kitten · 10-14-2007, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aspiretowrite

As a red blooded brit I defend British Literature zealously -from Chaucer to Tolkien to Rankin and Practhet we have shown versatility, vivid imagination and created beatutifully written sentences that just drip off the tongue with such joy. However when I think back to the likes of Fenimore-Cooper (whom I think is fantastic) to F Scott Fitzgerald, Jack Kerouac and Kurt Vonnegut, American Literature has contributed true literary works of art to libraries across the world, that woud seem lacking without them. At the end of the day I guess if the only inspiration a book gives you is for use as toilet paper then it doesn't matter where it comes from - bin it.

Since you didn't mention him, does this mean Neil Gaiman's not considered a Brit any longer?

Non Serviam · 10-14-2007, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lin

And American Writing is defiinitely the 900 pound gorilla of current world lit, not just in books, but in screenplays and songs.

Well, I don't know. Is it?

Books first...

I think the world's bestselling author is still Agatha Christie.

Living writers, what would it be, Michael Crichton and Stephen King? Do they outsell J.K.Rowling and Terry Pratchett?

Films...

Lord of the Rings. Is it an American film? New Zealand director, based on a book by a British author, with an international cast.

Harry Potter, too. Both film groups outsold Star Wars.

Music...

There's still nobody who outsells the Beatles. Even in the US, there've been British bands in the top ten ever since (probably the next one to hit will be Amy Winehouse).

I don't buy it, Lin. I think the US is less of a 900lb gorilla and more of a 200lb chimpanzee.

Mermaid on the breakwater · 10-14-2007, 04:08 PM

I don't think anybody would argue that America doesn't produce more authors than Britain, that's obvious due to numbers but I think the quality of the authors produced is a different matter. There are some great American writers but I haven't read anybody better than Ian Mcewan. For me, he is the best modern day author and then you have Graham Swift as well. JK Rowling sells the most, Terry Pratchett sells an awful lot too. As far as poetry is concerned, Duffy is a real heavyweight too.

Hodge · 10-14-2007, 05:11 PM

The question implies that British and American writers have differing qualities, and I don't think they do. As individuals, yes. As groups, no.

I like the writers I like. I think I might have more British authors in my library than American ones, but I don't know—I haven't counted (and that could easily be because American writers only go back 200 years or so).

ClancyBoy · 10-14-2007, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lin

And American Writing is defiinitely the 900 pound gorilla of current world lit, not just in books, but in screenplays and songs.

650 pound gorilla. It's lost some serious weight in the last 10 years. America isn't nearly as popular as it used to be.

I don't know about anywhere else, but in Asian media, South Korea is the new (500) pound gorilla.

ClancyBoy · 10-14-2007, 06:22 PM

Oh wait, to answer the question...

What exactly is the difference between US and UK lit? If I understand the difference, I think I might be able to choose.

female_writer · 10-15-2007, 05:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mermaid on the breakwater

Which do you guys prefer? Which authors do you like from both areas? Should be a fun one.

Up the England lol. If that doesn't get you inspired for debate I don't know what will.

Old School-
Jane Austen...British.
Edith Wharton...American. Both Godesses of lit. but who else but Jane could have captured the subtle yet powerful emotional undercurrents of the era?

Modern comparisons... Eh, weve all melded together too much now maybe. Tragic.

Gamoc · 10-18-2007, 03:29 PM

American or English Literature?

As a general rule... I don't care. I like what I like, whether it's English or American, it makes no difference to me.

TWariner · 10-18-2007, 03:45 PM

Hmm, well, I think I tend to enjoy American authors more. I think F. Scott Fitzgerald is brilliant, for instance. I just like the style and feel of American books and that it's based in an environment I can relate to more. There is something fresh, vibrant and honest about them.

I read anything good, though, no matter where it's from, and at the end of the day all that matters to me is that it's a really great story with rich characters that just pop out of the page at you.