Comments on: Faking it

By: EDWARD

EDWARD — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 20:29:00 +0000

Mortimer J. Adler, whose book I read, claimed that any book which is worth reading once is worth reading three times. I grew up in poverty, in the slums of New Jersey, and attended awful schools. When I got to college, I knew I was woefully unprepared. When we were first asked to read ULYSSES at a chapter a week in college, it sounded like a cakewalk. I had grown up thinking a chapter of a novel was essentially a chapter of HUCKLEBERRY FINN, a book I had read in about three months with the rest of my high school class. The professor mumbled something during the first class that he assumed every one in the class had read Homer’s ODESSEY somewhere along the line. Of course I lied that I had. I was unaware how much that lie, which I had become adept at, was about to humiliate me. I worked and faked my way through college. I like to remember it as more working than lying, because that lends me more dignity and status, the reason I faked so much in the first place. In a society that measures much by status, faking is often the only way one can escape the class you were born into and acquire status; and it’s an awful way with brutal consequences.

By: D.C. DaCosta

D.C. DaCosta — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 00:43:14 +0000

I would guess that anybody who takes pride in his profession sometimes pretends familiarity with things he just hasn’t gotten around to yet. Doctors say they’ve read a study, dentists say they’re familiar with a technique, lawyers claim to have read a transcript.

I don’t see how or why the book business (whether you participate in it as a writer, an editor, an agent, or even a gofer) should be any different. Do you have pride in your work? Do you want others to think you are up-to-date, in the know, “with it”?

Hmmm. Maybe this is just an extreme example of peer pressure….

By: D.C. DaCosta

D.C. DaCosta — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 00:39:20 +0000

Ah, Catherine! We are kindred spirits! Have a hug.

By: Catherine Whitney

Catherine Whitney — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 18:06:14 +0000

A stranger at a cocktail party, having learned I was an author, smiled brightly and asked, “Have I read you?” I replied, “No.”

By: Katie

Katie — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 21:49:45 +0000

Miriam,

I’m so glad I’m not in this world you speak of. I’m a terrible liar and have only in the last few years started reading Jane Austen. Two weeks ago I bought Anna Karenina. I can’t believe it has taken me this long to find Tolstoy. For me, it’s always been a matter of time, not interest. I read for school, then for work (newsroom.) At the end of the day all I wanted to do was sleep.

Needless to say, bragging rights I do not have. Hopefully, people enjoy my lack of pretension and don’t think me uncultured.

Next time you get around people with false expectations, turn the questions around on them. If you get them talking, they won’t ask you what you think (in most cases.) Psychology 101.

By: Joelle

Joelle — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 21:48:11 +0000

I can’t lie. I just can’t quite pull it off…but I’ve been known to say, “Oh, I’ve got that in my reading pile.” when maybe I actually had it, but then gave it away unread or do have it, but have no intention of reading it. But I do know someone in the field of books who I just KNOW is lying about what she reads. I just know it! I never call her on it, but I kind of want to!

I’ve read 123 books this year according to my Goodreads records, and many of those were short MG, and even some shorter chapter books. I also started many books that I didn’t finish. So I have to agree that reading is a commitment and I guess sometimes we want to look more committed than anyone has time or inclination to actually pull off!

I think other people do this in their own ways related to their professions. Actors profess to have read a lot of plays or say they’ve seen a lot or claim to do a lot more auditions than they actually do. That I know for sure.