Reprint Time--Helena
A comment from the blogkeeper at Underbelly (thank you Buce) inspired me to look this up. I was fairly certain that I had reviewed the book in the recent past, and so I discovered this. a good book is worth appreciation--over and over and over again. Also, while you are appreciating, you might want to take in Underbelly's look at Helena as well. La Belle Hélène on March 18, 2005 8:11 AM In reading Helena last night I stumbled across a large number of passages I would like to share. But I thought the more important thing to share was an observation. Evelyn Waugh liked this best among his books. There are a good many reasons why this might be so: it is splendidly written--both the prose and the coherence are several notches above some of his earlier, more frenetic work. It is tightly done, with just the right strokes and exactly the right selection of detail. But I suspect the reason Waugh prized this above all the other works is that in t...
So, he said with his tongue in his cheek, the passive voice ought not be used? What of Orwell's advice that a long word ought not be used when instead a shorter word could be used? Passive, yes. Good advice, certainly.
ReplyDeleteOne of my "first day of class" handouts was Orwell's five rules of writing from that essay. I don't know whether it did any good, but I felt better anyway. At least I had warned them.
ReplyDeleteFred, what a great idea. I know what students in my classes will be receiving at the beginning of the next semester!
ReplyDeleteDear R/T,
ReplyDeleteIt would not do to consider the not inconsiderable prolegomenon one would espouse in the utilization of so considerable a source. The vitiation of the not inconsiderable strength of the English Language obviates the utilization and lateralization of lesser guides.
How's that for violating most of the five?
shalom,
Steven
Well done! You earn an "A" for obfuscation. Be aware, though, Steven, Orwell's spectre is preparing to visit you.
ReplyDeleteR/T,
ReplyDeleteGlad you found it useful.
Steven,
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like something Nixon's former chief of staff would say--Was his name Haig?