The New Yorker released their list of 20 favorite writers under 40.
I’m not sure what importance to give this list, as I’ve never been a huge fan of the gilded, slightly esoteric and irrelevant publication, but Chimamanda made it, so I guess that’s a good thing. Although I am also slightly skeptical of writers cosigned by the mainstream American literary establishment, so I am admittedly a little wary of anyone on this list.
I was actually surprised that wonderboy Junot Diaz wasn’t on it, but maybe he’s already 40.
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LOL at your calling the New Yorker “esoteric” and “mainstream” at the same time! Surely, you can only be one?
Still, I think you’re being a little unfair. The list, as far as I recognize the names on it, is pretty unsurprising — I recognize about half the names from NYBR and, yes, the New Yorker. I expected to see Jonathan Safran Foer. ZZ Packer’s collection of stories “Drinking Coffee Elsewhere” is one of the best I’ve ever read, and Yiyun Li is close to pretty darn awesome. Dinaw Mengistu I hear is pretty decent, and Salvatore Scibona is truly good. And I like Adichie well enough. I think you’d get Tavis Smiley-ed if you don’t at least pretend to think Adichie is the best thing since slice bread in Nigerian company 🙂
Hmm…I have no problem talking out of both sides of my mouth. The style of the magazine, in my opinion, is definitely esoteric (I might even say abstract). But the style speaks to a literary establishment guided by a thin upper crust. Definitely not hating on ChiChi, though. 🙂
Enjoyed reading this post and particularly both your comments that followed.
Btw Junot Diaz is indeed over 40 and has been on the list in a previous year