[Warning: this is a Tragos rant you are about to read.]

Sometimes what depresses me about the notion of American fiction is the phrase “American fiction”. Why is the phrase “American fiction” a little depressing, like sitting on a mustard colored couch listening to Donovan?

It shouldn’t be. Hearing “uh-meh-ri-kan fik-shun” should make me say “oh yeah…exciting stuff”; but it never does.

Take the words, “the novel,” or “essays,” or “lyric poems,” or “graphic novel,” or what have you; they give me a little charge. This could be because I drank too much Capri Sun and Tang as a young child. But it might also have something to do with inclusiveness.

The word “fiction” says with a nasally accent that you better, Mr. or Ms., limn some essence of American-ness. You better “capture” (always “capturing”) the “experience” of this thing we call America.

Always a wonderful insight whenever he pops up on my dashboard. Also, I want to say congratulations on your forthcoming new family member.

(Source: winesburgohio)