Roth has long been pessimistic about the survival of the novel in a gaudy, short-attention-span culture, but his latest prophesy is one of his bleakest yet, predicting that the form will dwindle to a “cultic” minority enthusiasm within 25 years.
The author believes that the concentration and focus required to read a novel is becoming less and less prevalent, as potential readers turn instead to computers or to television. “I was being optimistic about 25 years really. I think it’s going to be cultic. I think always people will be reading them but it will be a small group of people. Maybe more people than now read Latin poetry, but somewhere in that range,” Roth told Tina Brown, editor-in-chief of The Daily Beast“. (guardian.co.uk)
You are all computer literati and most of you are readers. Are you noticing impairments to your attention span? Do you think Roth is right? Will you be in the (illustrious) minority, when it comes to that? [thanks, Barb S.]
Related:
- Coming Soon(er): Beast Books (themoderatevoice.com)
- The Daily Beast to Publish Rapid-Fire eBooks (mediabistro.com)
I think the novel is experiencing more competition, but as an immersive experience, it can’t be beat. I have trouble finding the time, but no trouble paying attention. Good stories, good writing will survive.
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So most of the young people who loved the Harry Potter books won’t be sharing them with kids of their own someday, eh? Doubtful.
The hardcover bestseller may well disappear, but since I don’t read them now, I won’t miss it. I’ll still be reading novels, though.
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