episode #435

Strangeness

Harold Bloom defined ‘strangeness’ as a mark of originality that is endemic and absolutely required for any work of literary art to be considered a masterpiece or a classic. Dan Simmons goes further to define it as a quality in the writing or storytelling that indicates to us, the reader (or viewer for Film/TV), are in the presence of an intelligence that is unique or different enough to be able to teach us something about ourselves. So…how does one achieve ‘strangeness?’ Is it something that can be taught? Practiced? Or is it something you either have or you don’t? We discuss!

Also, Josh recommends Men which is on HBO Max, and Ira recommends It Follows which is on Prime.