Two Ls

I have had this favourite phrase 'Americans are bad at two things, Liquor and Literature'. About both, my conviction has been proved right again and again. Recently my friend recommended Catcher In the Rye by J D Salinger. I tried reading the book despite the warning that it's Bill Gates' favourite. I couldn't go past 30 pages. I didn't know where the story was going and since it was about world in the eyes of a cynical loser, I found myself asking, what's the point?

Another friend was shocked when I told him I haven't read To Kill a Mocking Bird. Well, to be fair, I did try. I couldn't follow the weird slang-tinged language, which was a major deterrent. Later I went in for a compromise and saw the movie. After watching it, I realised something. Americans get very pretentious when they get serious. To Kill a Mocking Bird attempts to say something but it takes itself quite seriously and hence comes across quite shallow and pretentious.

The writers who have affected me deeply were French, British and of course Indians. Till I turned 25, I did not know Roger Waters (and Syd Barret) is English. And when I heard even ColdPlan is a British band, I squealed and said 'no wonder'! I used to find Erica Jong amusing but grew out of her quite quickly. On the other hand, I still find Maugham relevant and get goosebumps when I re-read Herman Hesse.

And, just for the records, I don't like Bourbone.