|
I don't think I overrate him at all. The postmodern elements have nothing to do with his ability--that's just a medium that he enjoys, which he has elaborated on in interviews.
I hear "gimmick" used endlessly to describe both House of Leaves and Only Revolutions, which is a useless word without explanation. People assume that their striking appearance and pseudo-complexity are the depth of his innovation, but that has nothing to do with his writing. The Pelican Poems alone--an irrelevant and apparently useless addition to an already time-consuming work--are an excellent demonstration of his understanding of the art of writing. I think Danielewski as a writer, apart from whatever medium he uses, is genuinely one of the most capable voices out right now.
He does seem quite the prick, but if he can write, who cares? And anyway, Foer and Coupland have a much better hold on contemporary wankery.
|