Louis L'Amour and Words of Wisdom

I have just finished reading Louis L'Amour's excellent autobiography based around the books he read from the age of sixteen.  He tells of the jobs he undertook, while all the time continuing his own education through these books.  The book is 'Education of a Wandering Man'.

Louis L'Amour was an American author of over 100 books, quite often 'Western' novels.  He wrote in 'Education of a Wandering Man' that, 'the more one learns, the more he understands his ignorance'.

Although my book 'Maz and Me' is a comic novel, it is intended that the reader should think about the
narrator, Tony Goodbody's continuing education through the situations he is placed in, and through his relationship with the older woman Maz. 

Louis L'Amour, in his book gives the reader so many insightful thoughts, for instance, 'a book is less important for what it says than for what it makes you think,' and 'no-one can 'get' an education for of necessity education is a continuing process.'

It is, in my opinion, important for us to reflect on what we are reading, not necessarily always go for the 'page turner' type of book.  Louis L'Amour's book is one that I would certainly hope my grandchildren will read and take time to ponder upon.

A Need for 'Excitement'

I have recently been discussing 'distractions' and how we no longer seem to live at a slow pace. We are bombarded with flashing images, and presenters finding it necessary to wave their hands about to make a point (it seems to be assumed that we will not 'get' the point unless they use extreme gesturing). Are these really necessary? 

I think it was Brian Sewell, in a recent article and, in his excellent autobiograpy, questioned something along the lines of, why it should be necessary for a documentary-maker to follow him driving along a road when he is going somewhere to be filmed talking about art.  Perhaps the viewers, would prefer to just hear the information as the piece of art is being discussed but of course the journey, or a presenter walking about being filmed, means a longer programme. We are not being given much opportunity to view at a leisurely pace. 
 

This leads me to ask whether the constant bombardment of unnecessary 'exciting' images from television programmes, including the news and factual programmes are leading to a problem where we will no longer know what it is to relax quietly, even to enjoy an educational programme in a more congenial fashion.  

My book was recently given its first one star review from a reader who found it 'boring' because she felt nothing 'exciting' happened.  Perhaps this is because it is not one of the popular genres of gangland crime, tragedy or childhood misery.  I deliberately decided to write, with gentle humour, a simple story told through the voice of a modern-day male and throughout the story we see his slow development and hear his philosophical thoughts via his witty observations. 

But it seems it is no longer enough.

Do we really need 'excitement' in every book to warrant a four or five star review?  I think not.  Some of the most enjoyable books I have read, and I include,  'The Catcher in the Rye', Brideshead Revisited, and 'The Remains of the Day', are simply stories of human life unravelling as you read.  These books allow you to use your own imagination and the reader is not waiting for something 'exciting' to happen.

I would like to see the television companies taking into account that some of their viewers do not always need to be distracted by exciting images - let us be given the time to listen and look at what is being discussed without the need for flashing imagery, hand-waving, or other distasteful distractions.

If you have a moment please take look at a free sample of my book here: http://www.amazon.co.uk/MAZ-AND-ME-Sharon-Loveday-ebook/dp/B00CHNLR6E