[HairOfTheDog]

Dare I say that all forms of literature, and most other forms of entertainment are a form of escapism?

You are still acting like a literary bore... You can't even describe Westerns without using quotes, like the word is a smelly dead fish, and Shane is a good one because it "transcends the genre" for you.

Lighten up a bit... as narrowly as you have defined "literature", no wonder you think it is in decline. I don't happen to think it is....

[PJ-Comix]

Dare I say that all forms of literature, and most other forms of entertainment are a form of escapism?

True but some are definitely more escapist than others. Which is more escapist? A novel about soldiers (based on real characters) facing the rigors of Army life in pre-war Hawaii or Hobbits travelling thru Middle Earth? I enjoyed the latter but identified more with the characters in the former.