Thomas Fensch (Editor), "Conversations with John Steinbeck"
Let�s say you respect a certain author and would like to do a book about him. The problem is the author is long dead, and there are already numerous biographies on the market. There�s nothing new to say.
And let�s compound the problem by having a subject who, while not as reclusive as J.D. Salinger, disliked publicity and gave few interviews. Finally, throw in the fact that the editor doesn�t have much in the way of writing skills. What�s a guy with a book contract supposed to do?
What Fensch decided to do was find various news clippings from a number of magazines, write a five-page introduction that basically restates the articles that follow, and release it in book form.
Nice work if you can get it.
Still, it�s a good collection, particularly for people like me who don�t want to shift through endless articles. Steinbeck didn�t like people butting into his private life, loathed critics and hated publicity. At the same time, he did quite a few stints as a reporter himself and so was reluctant to turn people down �cause he knew these people were just doing their job. This collection represents a good portion of interviews where he acquiesced.
But the one thing he hated was the obvious question, and when he was inevitably faced with such banalities, his retorts were down-and-out vicious. Thataboy, John. Highlights include a press conference called after he received notice that he had won the Nobel Peace Prize, because reporters wouldn�t stop calling his house. During the question-and-answer period, he dealt out nonsensical answers simply to confuse the reporters, all of whom couldn�t understand the meaning behind �wrapped and shellacked,� which led to a long explanation on how to fix a fishing rod.
Another answer dealt with a comparison between himself and D.H. Lawrence, where he said he was �also comparable because I have two legs, and a research will show this to be the identical number Lawrence had.� Ouch!
