Opposites attract and so it was with these two comparative writers of the early 20th century. Both had novels made into movies, both won the Nobel Prize for Literature, and both were recognized for their differences.
We'll be reading short novels by contemporary writers seeking the pinnacle of fame on the literary leader board. Two word smiths, one promoting the gallantry of nature, the other unveiling the quality of nurture. One man knowing love but unable to harness it. One man content with the love he new. Two high achievers with individual personas that gave wide margin to their distinguished and competing prose style.
Equal but different only cuts so deep. Mobs of literary critics speculated to a draw on who was a better writer. Our minds, apparently gifted with a uniquely discriminating clarity, will challenge a century of balanced acclaim debating this challenge. Whose pen is mightier must be once and forever determined by men of mighty cockscombs.
Our next read, or should I say reads, will be from two Classic novelists. Plan to surf between the lines to discern unrecognizable subtleties to sort verbosity from an engraver of words. This questionably absurd objective is a burden of intellectual toil. Our mission in this literary inquisition is to unzip the trousers of these likewise gifted souls in order to calibrate the girth of their literary prowess.
Reserve Friday, April 1st, no fool in'. We'll be debating Hemmingway and Steinbeck. I've chosen two of their most popular works, "Old Man and the Sea"; and "Of Mice and Men."
Details to follow. No draw, we need a unanimous decision to settle this. There can only be one winner.