"Your work is puerile and under-dramatized. You lack any sense of structure, character, or the Aristotelian unities. "

Okay let me first say that I am not some literary bohemian, or an “ugly art” loving, ‘G and D’ elitist, as a matter of fact, I have spent a good part of my life skating by coffee shops flipping those, stagnant, petty, introverts, off. I think the main reason why I hold so much animosity for these black clad, high school shooters, eager for their parents disapproval, is because I have read a few things and I know reading is nothing to toot your own horn about, and its certainly nothing to condescend to anybody about (and I have also been on the receiving end of my parents disapproval, and I know that this is not some consummation devoutly to be wished). Anyway I have read a few things and I think that there a few integral parts of anyone’s literary cannon, so in saying that, I want to urge you to pursue your own literary cannon, and luckily on this day, here are a few suggestion.

B- August 22, 1893 Dorothy Parker; she was a light witty humorist who started to write for magazines then her own books of poetry, and her poetry no matter how funny held insight and sometimes scathing commentary. I always thought her writing was a window into her times, she was at the height of her fame during the roaring twenties, I always thought this time was a sort of American adolescence.

D -August 22, 1904 Kate Chopin; She was from the South and I loved much of her writing for the same reason as Ms. Parkers, however her “window” is that of a rural turn of the century south, colorful and bright, and at times harsh and ugly. I think I love her stories the most for the fact that there is always that small turn at the end of every story, it’s like she built this colorful world (and her writing did just that) then would elbow you in the ribs and laugh.

D – August 22, 1979 James T Farrell; Mr. Farrell was from the industrialized immigrant big cities of the North during the time of the post war industrialization of America. Now this is important, because he doesn’t talk about the prosperity of our nation but he speaks and welcomes you into the lives of those vibrant inner city neighborhoods. And the effect that the suburban utopian dream has had on the fabric of our community and our ideals. Read “Studs Lonnigan”.

B –August 22, 1920 Ray Bradbury; now we all know he wrote “Fahrenheit 451” (extremely important commentary on our society) and of course “I Sing The Body Electric” and “The Illustrated Man”. But I remember reading the “Martian Chronicles” as a child and being completely enthralled Mr. Bradbury humanized the Martians and he parallel their lives with humans creating this desire for a utopian existence, that in the back of your head you know is just never plausible. He also co wrote “The Addams Family” now that world is a consummation devoutly to be wished.