Mortification : Writers' Stories of Their Public Shame

Mortification
Author(s): Robin Robertson

Humiliation is not, of course, unique to writers. However, the world of letters does seem to offer a near-perfect micro-climate for embarrassment and shame. There is something about the conjunction of high-mindedness and low income that is inherently comic; something about the very idea of deeply private thoughts -- carefully worked and honed into art over the years -- being presented to a public audience of dubious strangers, that strays perilously close to tragedy. These seventy contributions prove it is possible to reverse Auden's dictum: that art is born out of humiliation.

Review(s):
“Robertson keeps the atmosphere light throughout, tagging delightful epigraphs onto every reminiscence.”
“Entertaining reading. This is a jolly romp and will make a good stocking-filler for any authors of your acquaintance.”
“As simple as Schott’s Original Miscellany and equally effective.”
“Full of the most achingly funny, endearing accounts of total humiliation.”



ISBN:  9780060750923