20 Under 40 or 10 over 80?

The New York Times has recently released its "20 under 40" list of hot young writers. I looked at the list, and I like many of the authors they've chosen. However, the whole idea of a list like this bothers me; it feels like once again celebrating youth, new things, and the idea of celebrity rather than years of hard work and the evidence of an oeuvre of excellent novels created by career authors.


In response, Ward Six has created a list of "10 over 80". On that list there are many excellent authors who I can certainly see as writers to celebrate. (hurrah for Beverly Cleary & Ralph S. Mouse!) It made me think, you could really create any kind of list of this type, couldn't you? 20 over 50, 10 under 100, really endless possibilities here, not even getting into gender or ethnicity -- that could cause an exponential growth in your pool of choices!


Anyhow, I enjoyed the "10 over 80" list but it missed out some of my own faves, so I'm going to share my own list (with a variation to suit me) -- so here is my own list of favourites...

15 Over 75

1. Penelope Lively (b. March 17, 1933)

English author of 16 novels for adults, numerous nonfiction, short stories and children's books. I love her work!

2. José Saramago (b. Nov. 16, 1922)

Portuguese genius who has written 28 books (at least half translated into English) plus he's kept a blog recently.

3. Alice Munro (b. July 10, 1931)

Canadian master of the short story. Necessary reading for all.

4. Ray Bradbury (b. Aug 22, 1920)

American short story, science fiction, Fahrenheit 451 -- how can you not love him? He is my superhero of writing.

5. Barbara Mertz/Elizabeth Peters/Barbara Michaels (b. Sept. 29, 1927)

American writer who has tons of fabulous non-fiction, mysteries, and romantic suspense.

6. Virgil Burnett (b. 1928)

A personal friend who is best known as an artist, sculptor and illustrator. He has written short story collections and novels (including my favourite, Towers at the Edge of a World.) He's also penned a memoir. (American born but Canadian by residence.)

7. Maya Angelou (b. April 4, 1928)

American poet, author of inspirational work and children's books -- amazing woman.

8. Mavis Gallant (b. Aug. 11, 1922)

Canadian novelist and short story writer who has lived in France for many, many years. She is such a strong writer and a strong woman.

9. Edna O'Brien (b. Dec. 15, 1930)

Irish writer of novels, plays, and biographies. Still going strong with her latest, a biography of Lord Byron.

10. Gabriel Garcia Marquez (b. March 6, 1927)

Colombian author and master of magic realism. I loved One Hundred Years of Solitude.

11. Joan Clark (b. Oct. 12, 1934)

Canadian writer from Atlantic Canada. Has written children's books and a few adult novels as well. I loved her adult novel Latitudes of Melt.

12. Don Coles (b. Apr. 12, 1928)

Fabulous Canadian poet who has at least 10 collections, he wrote one novel called Dr. Bloom's Story which I loved!

13. Antonine Maillet (b. May 10, 1929)

Acadian (French Canadian from Atlantic Canada) writer of plays, novels and academic writing. Very unique reading!

14. Josef Skvorecky (b. Sept. 27, 1924)

Czech writer who has lived most of his life in Canada, he's written novels and mysteries, most of which are available in English.

15. Thomas Keneally (b. Oct. 7, 1935)

Australian author of many, many novels; best known for Schindler's Ark but I read and really enjoyed Victim of the Aurora.