The winner of last week's Great Wednesday Compare (John Steinbeck Vs. Carol Shields), with a final score of 13-6, was John Steinbeck.Before I get into this week's challenge, I have a question about my blog layout. I managed to find internet service here at the hotel, but my blog looks HORRIBLE on it! The first post doesn't appear until way down the page, the center page is slightly off centered... just nasty! Has my home laptop been deceiving me? How does it appear on yours? Anyway...
Despite Rob's generous offer last week, Shields seems to be primarily a Canadian taste (with a few exceptions). Thanks to the recommendations, I now want to read Larry's Party. While I was expecting a few people to say they hadn't read her, I certainly wasn't expecting anyone to say they hadn't read any Steinbeck. Though there are some major authors I've skipped as well.
Some of the past contenders have written non-fiction (such as Carol Shields' Jane Austen biography), I haven't thrown in anyone known only for non-fiction. Which brings me to Karl Marx. Author of The Communist Manifesto and Das Kapital, can he compete with a novelist? And should he?
Remember, vote simply by adding your comment below, base it on whatever merit you choose (including sex appeal if you want!), voting does not end until Tuesday at 11:59 p.m. (Jan 29, 2008), and please spread the word!
Who's better?
21 comments:
Looks fine to me.
I'm too depressed about last week to vote. Boo-hoo...
While I do generally lean towards socialism or at least towards social democracy, I can't turn my back on Steinbeck. My life was much more affected by The Grapes of Wrath than it will ever be by the manifesto or Das Kapital.
Fiction lovers of the world, unite! And choose Steinbeck.
Rats, I missed last week's compare, otherwise it would have been 13/7. I can't get excited about either of them this week but, grudgingly, put me down for Steinbeck.
Forgot to say, the blog looks fine on my laptop...
I'm one of those people who has never read any Steinbeck. I have read some of Marx' writings, though. ;-) I'll go with Marx, also because of his arguably larger influence on world history.
Your blog looks fine on my computer, John.
And in regard to literary merit, sexyness and every other thing, when pitted against Marx (unless it's Groucho), I'm going with Steinbeck.
Can't wait to see how Rob votes on this one.
Your blog looks fine on my computers too, John, on both Firefox and IE.
I am ashamed to say I have never read Marx, but do like Steinbeck a lot, so Steinbeck it is.
Your blog looks fine to me.
My vote is for Karl Marx.
Still voting for Steinbeck :)
Your blog looks great on my screen - I use Mozilla as a browser (on IE ALL the blogs look distorted to me).
Steinbeck.
Your blog layout looks fine, it must be something wonky with their connection. Is that even possible? But it must be.
John, your blog looks great in Firefox.
As for the vote, it's Steinbeck for me.
Your blog looks great to me.
I haven't read Marx, so I'll vote for Steinbeck. Love him.
I love love love John Steinbeck and love love loved The Winter of our Discontent especially much. So much love.
Your blog looks fine to me too. I can't slog through Marx so it's Steinbeck for me. I have shed a few tears for poor Shields.
Your blog looks fine to me and I'm way the hell in Asia! Therefore, it's their connection.
Nothing can sway me from Steinbeck...not even if Rob offers up a case of Kraft Dinner (impossible to find here), but I would feel a slight weakening.
And: What Raych said about The Winter Of Our Discontent goes for me, too.
Steinbeck. Because Marx's entire theory falls apart because he completely failed to account for the world-shaping impact of late-capitalist corporate structures (which centre on minimizing loss rather than gaining profit).
Plus, Steinbeck's books are more fun.
Thanks everyone- it must have been the hotel computers that were all screwy.
Steinbeck. Again.
Steinbeck! And yes, your blog looks great. I bet the hotel computer is using IE. Mine looks just like you described with IE.
Karl Marx, no way!
Steinbeck wins hands down!
Your blog layout looks good on my browser. No need to change.
Voting is now closed.
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