thursdav, november6, 1980
daily nebraskan
page 9
Light fantasy needs a new style
oooooooooooooooooo
There is a pathetic disclaimer in the biography of Tom
Robbin's new novel Still Life with Woodpecker that de
scribes him as a "developing young novelist." In any other
context it might pass, but in this book poorly conceived
and executed -it can only be read as an excuse. Robbins
must have known the book was weak and must either be
under contractual obligation to get a novel out, or just
dry.
zangari
What upsets me about this is that Robbins has become
the standard bearer of a prose style that has been labeled
"light fantasy" or as Tom hash calls it in his Nebraska
'nice volumn "purple hae prose".
The influence of psychoactive drugs on pop culture has
had a significant influence on the reorientation of sensual
B
owie . . .
Continued from Page S
As Bowie points out in referring to "It's No dame"
part I and 2. which open and close the album on two very
different levels; "when a protest and angry statement is
thrown against the wall so many times, that speaker finds
he has no more energy left." This gives the album a touch
of nostalgia.
The David Bowie who seemed so out of context 10
years ago suddently sounds so convincingly wise. Scary
Monsters is an excellent album, though the disillusion
ment has a way of wearing out the timid, unsuspecting
member of the masses, for whom Bowie aims his ammuni
tion with amazing skill.
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perceptions in the media, and in prose has lent an airy
quality to a number of novels. So Prash is probably right.
The movement can be conveniently labeled "neo
beat", although Jack Kerovac and the old beats were
certainly not alone in playing with a stream of conscious
ress writing. James Joyce, Gertrude Stein, Nathanial
West and a host of surrealists had been doing it years
before. What Kerovac added was a certain verbal quality
to the prose. Kurt Vonnegut brought it back to earth.
These nco-bcats are media babies. Born and bred on
radio and movies, they go skittering like a needle off a
record into a thousand influences more than were ever
available before. Add a tinge of Don Juan metaphysics and
you have a casserole hodge podge that is run to read.
The best seller list usually reads like a rehash of the
worst of television. Middle-of-the-road prose is as stodgy
and lifeless as New Wave's claim rock and roll has become.
"Ragtime and The World According to (iar) are
exceptions since they hover on being light fantasy, I'm
sure there are others.
These artists (I'd toss Richard Hrautigan, Robert
Swigait, Islimcal Reed and Robert Anton Wilson into this
camp) walk a curious tightrope. They are usually concern
ed with preaching Aquarian politics in a Barnum and
Bailey atmosphere. This is a great deal of fun up to a
point. Sooner or later though, the desire to do a "serious"
novel rears its ugly head. Unfortunately, our success
criteria says that one must do "serious prose" to pass on
insight and personal tragedy. Woody Allen deals with this
in his new movie Stardust Memories, when he says "I
don't feel like being funny anymore."
Unfortunately, the atmosphere has not been conducive
to comedy lately. What happens to comedy writers who
have been pigeon-holed into that category, is that they do
half-forced jobs (because they are afraid of taking a
chance on losing what they have) and turn out terrible
novels.
Light fantasy is in trouble. So much of the newness has
worn thin that there is virtually nothing left on the
bookshelves of any interest. Asa fan, and a writer of light
fantasy, this concerns me. I hope a hybrid of the style is
on the way, one that will allow the writer to stretch out
and still be true to the darkness that is trendy in the 80s.
The openness and freedom that dawned with what the
beats and neo-beats were trying to do is not dead. It is
still a viable and powerful base from which to work.
Stylistically it is as complex as any prose style to work
wjth. It has as many forms and structural problems to deal
with as any heavy prose form you care to mention.
Because of certain openness, it also has to be focused to
be successful.
I for one would hate to see it damned to the backlots
of literature because of a poor period of transition into
the 80s.
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The Afrikan People's Union
and the
University Program Council
presents the
Miss Black Uniuorsity
of KUobraoka Pageant.
Sunday, Wou. 9, 1980
in the Nebraska Union Ballroom
at 7:00 p.m.
$2.00 Students
$3.00 General Admission and Day of Pageant
Ten contestants wilt vie for the Miss
Black UNL crown. Come out and sup
port these women in a pageant filled
with talent, personality, and ethnic and
cultural beauty.
Culture Center
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STUDENTS . .
Daily Nebraskan
Editor in Chief
applications for the
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Applications Deadline
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Applicants should be familiar with the Guide
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quest ) Resumes should he submitted to and
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For further information Call 472 2588
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ul.itmns pert.immi to s.imif
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