Best Observational Writers

[TooManyMoves]

What I enjoy most about a book is when a writer captures a moment that had been overlooked of everyday life. Those moments when you read a passage and then think "How could I have missed that everyday image? Why hadn't I really noticed that before?". The times when writing brings to the surface a moment better than eyes could perceive. It's great when a writer has the ability to snap us out of the trance in those ways.

What contemporary writers have you read that accomplish this?

A few to start that have expressed that to me at times.

Ron Silliman (especially the book "Tjanting)
Lyn Hejinian (especially "My Life")
Nicholson Baker (especially "A Box of Matches)

[hollygolightly]

Haven't read any of those, TMM - will keep my eye out for them. :)

[TooManyMoves]

Hi Holly,

There is a website of bits of Lyn's observational writing at this website

Site (http://mylifebylynhejinian.blogspot.com/)

I really enjoy that type of focusing of thought in minimalistic ways. A snapshot of a moment.

Chris

[TooManyMoves]

Hi Hazelnut,

Glad you enjoyed the site. It's the closest example of what I was trying to express about that kind of observational writing.

Chris