[RJS1950]

Well written prose without real meaning or depth to the reader is just a collection of words that any english teacher would give an A for. Technical manuals are generally well written but not what I would pick up and want to read again because it reads well.

There are plenty of examples of classic and modern literature out there; more than enough variety to suit any set of tastes or interests. My world literature teacher in high school told us that a well read person will embrace a wide range of writings and will separate the pieces that connect with them and set aside the rest.

I don’t base my choices on well written prose; it is how the story or thoughts are presented that make the difference. Faulkner was too parochial and frankly boring for my taste.

[fr_freak]

Well written prose without real meaning or depth to the reader is just a collection of words that any english teacher would give an A for.

Faulkner's prose is at a level that 99.999% of the people in the world could not emulate. He also has depth and meaning, usually - he's just often boring. And I disagree that your average English teacher would give Faulkner an A. In my school days, I found that most English teachers didn't have a clue as to what constituted good writing, if it fell outside whichever particular box they lived in.