Some artists create something that is actually a direct response to another artist's work - think how Liz Phair's Exile in Guyville was a song-by-song reply to the Rolling Stones' Exile on Main Street. Similar occurrences have been happening recently on the literary scene. That is, instead of coming up with a completely original premise (if that even exists), an author writes a book, usually non-fiction, as a response to another author's book. Typically, the book provoking a reaction is a best-seller, because why take the time to craft an entire book as a response to another book no one read in the first place?
Some examples include:
Think: Why Crucial Decisions Can’t Be Made in the Blink of an Eye by Michael R. LeGault. This directly addresses Malcolm Gladwell's best-seller Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking. Think's cover blatantly echoes Blink's spare, clinical design. Even the subtitle seems to be an unsubtle bitch-slap to Blink's premise. The whole approach feels counter-productive: wouldn't you have to read Gladwell's book first so you know with what LeGault was disagreeing? Way to go LeGault - your book is not selling nearly as well as Gladwell's and you're actually promoting his book with your own. So could you write a book explaining why my blog is bad for people? That would sure help me out a lot.
Be Honest - You're Not That Into Him Either by Ian Kirner. I like the title of this response to the hugely popular He's Just Not That Into You by Greg Behrendt and Liz Tuccillo. I always thought the "He's just not that into you" catchphrase from Sex and the City (where Behrendt was a story editor) was a touch snarky. Instead of wasting your time trying to "understand guys" (an ineffective, almost offensive generalization that's up there with figuring out "what women want"), Kirner focuses on what the female reader wants for herself, a goal much more attainable and desirable.
Article comments
1 - chantal stone
Great Piece, Don...you so funny! ;)
2 - Don Baiocchi
Thanks, Chantal. Even when no one else reads my articles, I can always count on you for kind words.
3 - Steve
Don't worry, Dan, as far as books go, only about 10% of the population read anything more than the TV Guide or a magazine, so unless your article is about a top ten bestseller, chances are low you'd get much response anyway...don't take it personal.
I like reading articles about lesser known books, lots of interesting topics out there being covered in the book world. You made some interesting mentions and connections. Well done.
4 - Don Baiocchi
Hey, thanks Steve. I don't take it personally anyway. If anything, it's been very interesting to see which articles get feedback and which don't. It's not always what you'd expect.