The Vegetarian looks so interesting--it's been on my TBR list for a bit. It's interesting, though, my first knee-jerk reaction to the statement "Although maybe we as a culture have a harder time celebrating younger writers in general" was to emit a strong and derisive laugh. In a world where there are dozens of 30 under 30 lists, and the "hot new things" always seem to be blasting through various media outlets, how could that possibly be true (I thought)? But even looking at the Man Booker prize, your statement does hold out. It does tend to go to middle-aged--or older--authors.
Honestly, that's rather encouraging, I think. It feels like there's an incredibly strong undertone in modern society that if you haven't "made it" (whatever "it" is) by your thirties, you've got nothing to contribute. A good number of the NYT Bestsellers are written by younger writers. But maybe that media push is just America's specific obsession with youth and wunderkinds. Perhaps it's not so straightforward, though I must say, in some ways it's nice to see something that awards older and more seasoned creatives. That may just be me, though!
I even went through the Nebulas and Hugos (which is more my pace), and while there are a few standout youngsters, a majority aren't. It actually holds with what I've seen among the writers I know, too--that most (aside from some notable outliers) are hitting their success strides in their late 40s-60s. Interesting! I love it when my assumptions are challenged.
The Vegetarian is such a great book. I have Human Acts somewhere so this sounds like a perfect excuse to read it. How fascinating your observations about the age of the recent winners. I too caught myself thinking “she’s so young,” when I realised Kang’s age. But perhaps it’s for the better that writers get this distinction around their 50s and 60s as then they still have many years ahead of them to keep writing and this also gives people more chances to get acquainted with their new work in case they didn’t like the old. Giving the Nobel as a lifetime achievement is a bit detrimental to a writer’s creativity, in my opinion.
Mario Vargas Llosa hasn’t published anything remotely close in quality to his pre-Nobel work after being awarded. It’s a very contrast stark that was a bit shocking. He probably must have thought “that’s it, folks, I’ve made it, bye now” 😂
I think you're right about it being detrimental (harmful at least): There's something about being a writer "in the struggle." Too much conventional success might short-circuit the creativity and that DIY anti-authority spirit.
A good time for this book, a time when we all should question what we are as humans and to realize how quickly and easily humanity flies out the window and an to honour the brave.
Have not read her work—off to the bookstore!
Thanks for sharing.
The Vegetarian is fantastic. I'm pleasantly surprised by this win, though! Hurray for Han Kang!
The Vegetarian looks so interesting--it's been on my TBR list for a bit. It's interesting, though, my first knee-jerk reaction to the statement "Although maybe we as a culture have a harder time celebrating younger writers in general" was to emit a strong and derisive laugh. In a world where there are dozens of 30 under 30 lists, and the "hot new things" always seem to be blasting through various media outlets, how could that possibly be true (I thought)? But even looking at the Man Booker prize, your statement does hold out. It does tend to go to middle-aged--or older--authors.
Honestly, that's rather encouraging, I think. It feels like there's an incredibly strong undertone in modern society that if you haven't "made it" (whatever "it" is) by your thirties, you've got nothing to contribute. A good number of the NYT Bestsellers are written by younger writers. But maybe that media push is just America's specific obsession with youth and wunderkinds. Perhaps it's not so straightforward, though I must say, in some ways it's nice to see something that awards older and more seasoned creatives. That may just be me, though!
Yeah I would *not* claim the culture overall is anti-youth by any means. But literature seems to be one small area where awards skew older
I even went through the Nebulas and Hugos (which is more my pace), and while there are a few standout youngsters, a majority aren't. It actually holds with what I've seen among the writers I know, too--that most (aside from some notable outliers) are hitting their success strides in their late 40s-60s. Interesting! I love it when my assumptions are challenged.
Good points
Nice article! I also wrote an article about Han Kang. It’s great to see (relatively) young writers get the attention they deserve.
https://open.substack.com/pub/mattbass0/p/3-korean-writers-transforming-speculative?r=b5x6n&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
Excellent Lincoln. Thanks for bringing this author
The Vegetarian is such a great book. I have Human Acts somewhere so this sounds like a perfect excuse to read it. How fascinating your observations about the age of the recent winners. I too caught myself thinking “she’s so young,” when I realised Kang’s age. But perhaps it’s for the better that writers get this distinction around their 50s and 60s as then they still have many years ahead of them to keep writing and this also gives people more chances to get acquainted with their new work in case they didn’t like the old. Giving the Nobel as a lifetime achievement is a bit detrimental to a writer’s creativity, in my opinion.
Mario Vargas Llosa hasn’t published anything remotely close in quality to his pre-Nobel work after being awarded. It’s a very contrast stark that was a bit shocking. He probably must have thought “that’s it, folks, I’ve made it, bye now” 😂
I think you're right about it being detrimental (harmful at least): There's something about being a writer "in the struggle." Too much conventional success might short-circuit the creativity and that DIY anti-authority spirit.
I loved The Vegetarian. Can't wait to read Human Acts.
Yes!!! I'm so excited! What a great reason to read all her novels again.
Interesting journey down Nobel Road!
A good time for this book, a time when we all should question what we are as humans and to realize how quickly and easily humanity flies out the window and an to honour the brave.