[kumarv@bellcore.com (Kumar Vadaparty)Wed, 27 Mar 1996 11:01:52 -0500]
"---I agree to some extent and disagree to some extent with what Rama
and Veluri have said on telugu writing, in the context given below.
I give examples to prove my point. I request you not to take my
criticism of (some well-known) writers personally. ---"
Isn't it one of the important purposes of this forum? We must agree
to disagree and disagree to agree, since 'arguments' do not necessarily
lead us any where. Some body said, introspection does. I don't know.
Kumar garoo, rest assured, I don't take even personal criticism,
personally.
"--- ... (no offense meant, a lot deleted)...
Good writing is very difficult for any one in any language; whether it is
done in Telugu or English; or whether done by a telugu or a
european/american. I have found the quality deppressing among the
so-called great writers, esp. in the books/articles they are supposed
to be well-known for. I am talking about non-fiction only. ...(deleted)....
Let me give you examples: Jefferson in his "The declaration of Independence",
Bertrand Russel on John Locke in his "History of Western Philosophy",
James Madison in his Federalist papers (esp. Fedearalist 10, jointly
with Hamilton). These people (i.e., their writings) smack of exactly the
same malady you were complaining above: hyperbole, poor structure,
self-contraditions, etc.---"
I have read only Russell, here and there. I did not read any others in
your list. This is true of me in respect to your list of contemporary
writers too!
Frankly, I enjoyed some of Russell's writings, particulary,
his autobiography. And, especially, the section where he suddenly
realizes that he doesn't love his wife(first, or second, I do not
remember) any more, so he concludes to divorce her! And, this
realization comes to him while he is riding his bike!!
"---.... (deleted) -.... I spend at least an hour every fortnight
(on the average)lamenting on the lack of quality of book reviewes in
NYTimes. That's why I could not contain surprise when Veluri said that
this net is "rising to the levels of NYTImes book reviews".---"
I was referring to The New York Review of Books (not the NYT book reviews),
and The Nation. Moreover, I was referring to the exchanges between the
correspondents, not the reviews, or articles per se. Sorry for the
confusion I have created!
"--- ... ( deleted ) ...
In as much as I agree with your quality metrics, I must disagree with
you in that not meeting those metrics is not restricted to Telugus only.
It is quite rampant in other languages (specifically English -- I know
not enough of any other language to read serious stuff). Telugu bad
writing may suffer from scholarship (lack of), or good style and
structure, but I did not find much of prejudice.
..... (deleted)....
KV---"
What can I say! We agree to disagree on somethings, and disagree to
agree on some other things!!
Best Regards.
-- v r veluri