Tuesday Articles: Diana Athill is the best.

We interrupt Women in Finance (Books) Week for a literary Tuesday Article post.

Last week's big literary story was author V.S. Naipaul stating that no women writers are his literary match.

But my favorite part of the story was longtime Naipaul editor Diana Athill's response to his remarks. My favorite line there is at the end: "And Athill has previously said that when she needed cheering up, 'I used to tell myself, At least I'm not married to Vidia.'" Ha.*

Full disclosure: I love Diana Athill.

Comments

[Phaedosia]

Blech--Naipaul is such an ass. I have hated him ever since having to read Guerillas in a Contemporary Novels class. The tampon scene was the worst. I love that, according to your article, Athill felt that novel "didn't ring true" either.

I'm going back to read your other review of Athill. I haven't read her, but if she sticks it back to Naipaul, then I need to start.

[Citizen Reader]

Oh, Phaedosia, do give Athill a try. I love her to death. Consider starting with her memoirs Stet (about her work/life as an editor) or her coming-of-age memoir Instead of a Letter.
I never even got as far as reading Naipaul--just reading the synopses of his novels bores me to death. What I find fascinating is that Athill actually worked with him for so many years, but can still laugh it off when he's acting like a moron. My kind of lady.

[Phaedosia]

Looks like my library has Instead of a Letter--so I'll start with that. Thanks for the recommendation!

[Marmota]

CR - thanks for the link and the laugh. I will definitely read Athill (on my TBR list from your previous postings). I will put off reading Naipaul again for a very long time. Nobel LaureASS.

[Citizen Reader]

Phaedosia,
I'll be very interested to hear what you think of IOAL. I love Athill but I think she's a very different memoirist from the types we're used to in the U.S.

Marmota,
Always glad to provide a laugh. Glad old V.S. gives us (and Athill) a lot of material. I've got a feeling that, even if they're smart, most of the Nobel winners aren't people you'd like to get too involved with.