One already feels like an anachronism, writing novels in the age of what-ever-this-is-the-age-of, but touring to promote them feels doubly anachronistic. The marketplace is showing an increasing intolerance for the time-honored practice of printing information on paper and shipping it around the country.
Lev Grossman’s quote reflects his feeling of being an anachronism in the modern world, particularly as a novelist in an age dominated by digital technology and rapid information exchange. He expresses a sense of outdatedness in his craft, as the traditional practice of writing novels seems less relevant in the current age, which he describes as uncertain and constantly changing ("what-ever-this-is-the-age-of"). This suggests that Grossman feels disconnected from the fast-paced, technology-driven world around him, where the methods of storytelling and information distribution are shifting dramatically.
The quote also highlights the irony of touring to promote novels in a time when physical books are facing increasing competition from digital media. Grossman describes this promotional practice as "doubly anachronistic," emphasizing that not only is the act of writing seen as outdated, but the effort to promote those works through traditional means—like book tours—feels out of place in today’s society. The idea of physically traveling to promote something in an increasingly digital world seems increasingly disconnected from how information and culture are consumed in the present.
Grossman then critiques the marketplace for its growing intolerance of traditional forms of communication, particularly the practice of printing information on paper and distributing it physically. In an age where most information is transmitted electronically through e-books, social media, and streaming, the book industry appears to be struggling to keep up with these new formats. This critique highlights the tension between the enduring value of physical books and the shifting preferences of an audience accustomed to instant and digital access to content.
Ultimately, Grossman’s quote reflects the broader cultural shift from traditional forms of media to the digital age. It captures the discomfort and uncertainty felt by those who still value older practices, such as the physical book and personal engagement in promoting it, while navigating a marketplace that increasingly favors more immediate and virtual methods of communication and distribution. His reflection serves as both a personal lament and a critique of the changing dynamics in the world of literature and publishing.
PMHo Thi Phuong Mai
I can’t help but feel a bit heartbroken reading this. There’s something noble about the act of writing a novel and sending it out into the world—like planting a tree you may never see fully grown. But do authors have to romanticize the past to preserve it? Or is there a way to embrace both reverence for tradition and openness to new storytelling forms?
TTHien Dinh Thi Thu
This raises a bigger question: do we need to reimagine how literary culture engages with its audience? Maybe book tours feel outdated not because of the books, but because modern engagement demands different formats—virtual Q&As, live-streamed readings, interactive platforms. Is the challenge here not the death of print, but the failure to adapt author outreach?
DZGiang dep zai
I feel the frustration here—trying to promote something timeless in a world obsessed with immediacy. But maybe the issue isn't novels or paper, but attention spans. Can literature still compete when people are trained to consume in 15-second bursts? Or should we accept that long-form storytelling may always have a smaller, more devoted audience now?
MATrinh Minh anh
Lev Grossman’s reflection is so layered with both nostalgia and resignation. But is print actually dying, or just evolving into something more niche and specialized? Could the rise of independent bookstores, bookstagrammers, and curated reading subscriptions be signs that there’s still passion for physical books—just outside the mainstream, perhaps? Is it the industry that’s fading, or just its old business model?
DNDuyen Ngoc
This quote really captures the melancholy of being a traditional artist in a digital-first world. But I wonder—has the shift to screens and streams truly devalued the novel, or just changed the way we interact with it? Could authors reclaim relevance by embracing hybrid models—like serialized fiction on digital platforms—without sacrificing the integrity of the form?