Dying public?

[MalignD at aol.com]

In a message dated 5/10/2000 12:00:19 PM Eastern Daylight Time, 
richardromeo at hotmail.com writes:

<< I wonder if Bellow and Roth are complaining about a certain type of 
fiction, 
 that realist mode that both are proponents of. Methinks they are lamenting 
 the loss of such a favored position that such writers had--hence, the 
 backlash against the academy, and postmodern practictioners of the craft.  
 The world has passed them by they feel. So blame the young, rock and roll, 
 television. IMHO, I'd wish they go away. >>

This is almost though not quite too stupid to respond to.  Describing Roth as 
a realist is an admission of not having read him.  Those inclined to 
pigeonhole tend to place him among rather than beside "postmodern 
practictioners," and usually as best in show.

Saul Bellow is in his eighties and will, very likely, "go away" before long.  
So will your philistine wish be granted.