Novels Are ‘Social Objects’
A shared love for a particular novel can bridge the most surprising social gaps
“Novels aren’t just sources of solitary cogitation. They are social objects, and we use them to brandish our identities, mark our allegiances and broker our relationships. They can provoke passions as strongly as politics. Thanks to the intimate connection between story and reader, they impact upon us very personally, and can drive otherwise undemonstrative folk to feel they have a right–nay duty–to confront complete strangers with their zeal, and have thus been responsible for some of the most unexpected human encounters I’ve had.”–Molly Flatt, from her piece, “Bonding with Books,” in the Guardian’s Books Blog.
I certainly do not disagree with Ms. Platt. I can remember some of the more beautiful connections with people revolved around a book discussion. But I fear that other medium have replaced literature in mainstream conversations. Knowledge of movies, TV shows, sports, politics, and world news has replaced books as the most-used topics of discourse. Being a writer I find this tragic, and I know book-lovers would agree, but I wonder if most people (especially of my generation) really care all that much. H’m, might be an interesting conversation to have with the next person I meet.