What Would You Like to See in Mormon Literature?
Being very interested in both reading and writing, and being a Mormon, I am curious to know what you would like to see in Mormon literature. A Motley Vision has some interesting posts on various aspects of Mormon literature, but I just want to find out what types of writing you would like to see Mormons producing.
What sort of fiction would interest you? How about poetry? Essays? What sorts of subjects would you like to read and what sorts of treatments would you like those subjects to be given? Can you give any examples of books, LDS or not, that you would like to see written from a Mormon perspective?
For example, do you think a novel of manners, such as Jane Austen wrote, would make interesting Mormon literature? Or would you like to read sonnets with Mormon themes? What kind of themes? For non-fiction, would you want to read essays of the type that Joan Didion writes, but focused on LDS life? How about doctrinal books or history or biography?
Those are just examples that came to mind, but that will give you an idea of what I'm looking for. I am particularly interested in literature, but if you have some thoughts on art (painting, sculpture, etc.) or music, put those in the comments, too.
I'm not thinking that Mormons should slavishly copy what others have done, but I think it would be interesting to know what general types of literature or other art you would like to see and what you think would be interesting or important or both.
What sort of fiction would interest you? How about poetry? Essays? What sorts of subjects would you like to read and what sorts of treatments would you like those subjects to be given? Can you give any examples of books, LDS or not, that you would like to see written from a Mormon perspective?
For example, do you think a novel of manners, such as Jane Austen wrote, would make interesting Mormon literature? Or would you like to read sonnets with Mormon themes? What kind of themes? For non-fiction, would you want to read essays of the type that Joan Didion writes, but focused on LDS life? How about doctrinal books or history or biography?
Those are just examples that came to mind, but that will give you an idea of what I'm looking for. I am particularly interested in literature, but if you have some thoughts on art (painting, sculpture, etc.) or music, put those in the comments, too.
I'm not thinking that Mormons should slavishly copy what others have done, but I think it would be interesting to know what general types of literature or other art you would like to see and what you think would be interesting or important or both.
Labels: art, literature, poetry, writing
posted by Mary A | 11:28 AM
4 Comments:
I have made my views known on my blog, and you probably have read them. However, I will put my answer to your question in synopsis. I want more books with Mormonism in the background and people and story in front. If the author is true to themselves then the literature will be less didactic and more enjoyable.
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I think everything you suggested is being produced. Publishing is lagging way behind though. So maybe the question is what kind of Mormon Lit would you buy?
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Sorry---that was me.
Jettboy, I would agree with wanting the literature to be less didactic. There's nothing worse than reading something that's preaching at you with a heavy hand! If the Mormonism is just naturally there, in a relaxed sort of way--background, as you say--then you get an interesting story about people and how they resolve some conflict or other in a way that is neither preachy nor sentimental.
Th., thanks for your comment. That is really what I should have asked--what kind of Mormon lit would a person spend their hard-earned money on? What would absorb his interest?
Mary
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