Ilana, kol hakavod! This is exactly what I intended to do, on reading about this disgraceful turn of events. I don’t think I have any of the antisemites’ books, thankfully, but will certainly check and remain aware for the future. I, like you, didn’t recognise the majority of names on the former; this speaks for itself.
I am extremely pleased to say, that I know personally, some of the people who have signed the counter-letter, including a feisty woman with whom I was at school from the age of four to eighteen, who remains a warm acquaintance.
Moreover, these literary heavyweights are generally more well-known to me; the character of these mensches is altogether softer and more pleasant, whilst retaining a dignified, resolute mettle. I know who I’d rather have on my side!
I want to see the list of names on the counter-letter so that I can buy their books. As for the letter above, I've read a few of the books by those authors, and they are doing Israel a favor by boycotting them.
I know my late uncle, Rodney Greenberg z”l, would have likely signed the counter-letter too; he was a well-known director and producer of mainly, but not exclusively, classical music programmes here in the Uk but also in parts of America. He used to give shows and attend events at the JW3 Jewish community centre that was under siege by the rabid mob last week in London. Indeed, he wrote a book on Gershwin as part of a series for Phaidon, at the request of Norman Lebrecht, who is good friends with Sir Simon Schama.
We’re in good company!
I’ve actually inherited all my uncle’s books. The collection includes all of Lebrecht’s and Schama’s works, and all of Howard Jacobson’s. That’s a pretty good start to add to my own collection.
Norman Lebrecht wrote a wonderful obituary for my uncle in the Jewish Chronicle. Good company indeed.
In the happy position of never having heard of most of the signatories and disliking the work of almost all those I have heard of, my only literary loss is China Miéville. I guess I'll rub along somehow. Unhappily I see one name there of a personal old friend, shocking and disappointing, but there again I've got almost no friends left due to Brexit/Covid/Oct 7th and being a TERF so I'm kind of toughened to that now. Thanks for posting the full list.
It feels like many of us are experiencing an "attrition" of our so-called friends. To be honest, I never fully understood the American view of friendship, so this shift hasn't been a significant change for me. The main difference is that I find myself becoming more skeptical about the people I choose to engage with.
I'm wondering what you think is the American view of friendship? More superficial, perhaps? In any case, I have concluded that different people have different friendship needs. Say, some people like to be surrounded by a chatty crowd. Others like companionship while playing a game or pursuing a hobby. Or for some friendship is networking and making use of contacts. For me it is largely, almost entirely, really, about talking interestingly about meaningful topics and exchanging ideas and making sense of the world together. You can't do that if you have fundamentally opposed outlooks. At least, I can't.
My approach mirrors yours. I am introverted and crowds drown my energy. But I like the diversity of opinions - as long as people are respectful and interested in learning. I don’t like preaching to the choir. I value loyalty though and question an instrumental approach to “friendship.” I differentiate between friendship and networking. Thank you for asking about my view.
Oh, one more thing - I don’t believe in having many friends opposing to acquaintances. I can be emotionally invested only in a few people.
Alas, I have at least three of those authors on my shelves. Tbf it wasn’t me who bought the Sally Rooney. Mievillie of course has always been an absurd Trot so nothing surprising there. I guess I will have to live without any more Namwali Serpel in my life, which is a shame, but I don’t suppose I’ll die from it.
Yes, some of them fairly good writers (not Judith Butler whom I used to teach how NOT to write, though I do own most of her books, and some at some point were helpful to my thinking). Naomi Klein, on another hand, was never "inspirational" to me. Michael Ondaatje was upsetting to see on this list. I am sure more will join this hysteria and their desire "to fight for justice" = being published.
Ilana, kol hakavod! This is exactly what I intended to do, on reading about this disgraceful turn of events. I don’t think I have any of the antisemites’ books, thankfully, but will certainly check and remain aware for the future. I, like you, didn’t recognise the majority of names on the former; this speaks for itself.
I am extremely pleased to say, that I know personally, some of the people who have signed the counter-letter, including a feisty woman with whom I was at school from the age of four to eighteen, who remains a warm acquaintance.
Moreover, these literary heavyweights are generally more well-known to me; the character of these mensches is altogether softer and more pleasant, whilst retaining a dignified, resolute mettle. I know who I’d rather have on my side!
The truth does not require your participation in order to exist. Bullshit does.
T McKenna
I want to see the list of names on the counter-letter so that I can buy their books. As for the letter above, I've read a few of the books by those authors, and they are doing Israel a favor by boycotting them.
I know my late uncle, Rodney Greenberg z”l, would have likely signed the counter-letter too; he was a well-known director and producer of mainly, but not exclusively, classical music programmes here in the Uk but also in parts of America. He used to give shows and attend events at the JW3 Jewish community centre that was under siege by the rabid mob last week in London. Indeed, he wrote a book on Gershwin as part of a series for Phaidon, at the request of Norman Lebrecht, who is good friends with Sir Simon Schama.
We’re in good company!
I’ve actually inherited all my uncle’s books. The collection includes all of Lebrecht’s and Schama’s works, and all of Howard Jacobson’s. That’s a pretty good start to add to my own collection.
Norman Lebrecht wrote a wonderful obituary for my uncle in the Jewish Chronicle. Good company indeed.
In the happy position of never having heard of most of the signatories and disliking the work of almost all those I have heard of, my only literary loss is China Miéville. I guess I'll rub along somehow. Unhappily I see one name there of a personal old friend, shocking and disappointing, but there again I've got almost no friends left due to Brexit/Covid/Oct 7th and being a TERF so I'm kind of toughened to that now. Thanks for posting the full list.
It feels like many of us are experiencing an "attrition" of our so-called friends. To be honest, I never fully understood the American view of friendship, so this shift hasn't been a significant change for me. The main difference is that I find myself becoming more skeptical about the people I choose to engage with.
I'm wondering what you think is the American view of friendship? More superficial, perhaps? In any case, I have concluded that different people have different friendship needs. Say, some people like to be surrounded by a chatty crowd. Others like companionship while playing a game or pursuing a hobby. Or for some friendship is networking and making use of contacts. For me it is largely, almost entirely, really, about talking interestingly about meaningful topics and exchanging ideas and making sense of the world together. You can't do that if you have fundamentally opposed outlooks. At least, I can't.
My approach mirrors yours. I am introverted and crowds drown my energy. But I like the diversity of opinions - as long as people are respectful and interested in learning. I don’t like preaching to the choir. I value loyalty though and question an instrumental approach to “friendship.” I differentiate between friendship and networking. Thank you for asking about my view.
Oh, one more thing - I don’t believe in having many friends opposing to acquaintances. I can be emotionally invested only in a few people.
A cesspool of antisemites including Jewish worse than kapos
yes, i noticed a lot of jewish names and I will see the same kind of "intellectuals" for another month and a half
Alas, I have at least three of those authors on my shelves. Tbf it wasn’t me who bought the Sally Rooney. Mievillie of course has always been an absurd Trot so nothing surprising there. I guess I will have to live without any more Namwali Serpel in my life, which is a shame, but I don’t suppose I’ll die from it.
Yes, some of them fairly good writers (not Judith Butler whom I used to teach how NOT to write, though I do own most of her books, and some at some point were helpful to my thinking). Naomi Klein, on another hand, was never "inspirational" to me. Michael Ondaatje was upsetting to see on this list. I am sure more will join this hysteria and their desire "to fight for justice" = being published.
Really sad to see Arundhati Roy on the list of antisemites. I adored her "The God of Small Things."
I agree but it also makes me question their moral stance. Or perhaps it is the nature of going back to your roots?