[Americathy]

I like Coetzee, too. Not sure about his politics but I love his style. My favorite modern writer is William Maxwell. I like Eco, too (again, very bad politics, but what a knowledge powerhouse). I don't like Updike at all, I think he strains the English language, but I won't deny he is good. I absolutely abhor Joyce Carol Oates (I know, as a woman I'm supposed to love her - but I never get her, maybe it's just me). Modern poets, Frost, Dunbar, sometimes Billy Collins (our poet Laureate), but not often. I absolute can't stand Maya Angelou - her poetry is like a child's. Rita Dove is much better. Some of my favorites political writers are on-line, James Lileks, A.M. Siriano, Andrew Sullivan, Bryan Preston (what a resource!), and many others. Lileks is always a great read - great style. Sometimes I like Andrew Sullivan but his pro-gay stuff gets to be too much. Siriano I think is the most promising poet and all purpose writer I have read in years, truly a deep thinker, very colorful and often hilarious. I could go on and on (my favorite subject!).