In Sigrid Nunez's 2018 novel 'The Friend,' a famous writer laments how readers perceive literature as mere commodities. The narrative critiques contemporary literature's place in society, highlighting a disheartening trend where authors feel compelled to align their work with instant gratification from audiences. Citing I. A. Richards' experiment, the text reflects on how context influences understanding, revealing a gap in readers' abilities to engage deeply with texts. Overall, it emphasizes the challenges writers face in an era dominated by superficial interpretations of art.
"People talking about a book as if it were just another thing, like a dish, or a product like an electronic device or a pair of shoes, to be rated for customer satisfaction-that was just the goddamn trouble."
"In the past the writer didn't have to know, the problem wasn't right there in your face."
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