The Death of the Ingénue, an Essay by Elizabeth L. Silver
Money quote:
(During my holidays I bought - and read - The Man in the Brown Suit by Agatha Christie, which features a marvellous young female protagonist, who is also the narrator. Have been meaning to recommend it.)
Money quote:
I recently went to hear Isabel Allende speak about her latest novel, Maya’s Notebook. At the Q&A, a young aspiring female writer rose to ask a question that surprised a majority of the audience. “You write a lot of strong women in your books,” she said, before asking, “Has there been anyone who has influenced you?” Allende either didn’t understand the question or wanted to emphasize the lunacy of it, and after three attempts replied: “Do you know any weak women?” Needless to say, a resounding uproar of applause emerged from the previously unobtrusive audience. This is not a topic that is far from the consciousness of the literary establishment, nor is it one that should be. It is so prevalent on people minds and hearts precisely because of its relevance. Readers don’t want to see any more ingénues or stock characters. They want to see the people that they know, the strong women who populate their lives, because, as Isabel Allende so bluntly and perfectly stated, there really aren’t weak women.
(During my holidays I bought - and read - The Man in the Brown Suit by Agatha Christie, which features a marvellous young female protagonist, who is also the narrator. Have been meaning to recommend it.)
