Yes, I know that St. Thomas Aquinas listed “Seven Deadly Sins” in Summa Theologica but when the editors of The New York Times Book Review decided to invite writers to write about their favorite Sin, Joyce Carol Oates argued for the inclusion of “Despair” and she won the argument. So you get EIGHT Deadly Sins in this book from 1993.
This The New York Times Book Review project updated the 1962 Sunday Times series masterminded by Ian Fleming of James Bond fame. Fleming included “The Seven Deadly Sins” in the series that featured seven English writers–Wilson, Sitwell, Connolly, Fermor, Waugh, Sykes, and Auden– discussing their preferred sins.
What makes this book special (it’s going for $90 on ABE.com) is the New York Times Book Review managed to attract the reclusive Thomas Pynchon, whose piece on “Sloth” is the most humorous in this book. Mary Gordon and John Updike take a higher-toned approach in their respective thoughts on “Anger” and “Lust.” Gore Vidal tackles Pride while Richard Howard writes a poem about “Avarice.” A.S. Byatt expounds on “Envy” while William Trevor feasts on “Gluttony.” And you might have some thoughts of despair when you read Joyce Carol Oates. If you’re in the mood for some literary heavy-weights weighing in on Sin, give Deadly Sins a try. GRADE: A
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
Sloth / Thomas Pynchon — 10
Anger / Mary Gordon — 34
Lust / John Updike — 40
Gluttony / Wiliam Trevor — 52
Pride / Gore Vidal — 64
Avarice / Richard Howard — 74
Envy / A. S. Byatt — 82
Despair / Joyce Carol Oates — 104
I thought Smoking Indoors was #8.
And talking on your phone in public is #9, staring dumbly at your phone while driving or crossing the street is #10 and not-working-from home in a coffee shop (don’t get me started) is #11.
Byron, cell phones are instruments of the Devil. So many young people, addicted to their phones, fall down the Rabbit Hole into depression and anxiety. Social Media should come with a Warning Label!
Dan, I think it depends on what you’re smoking…
Never heard of this but nice collection of authors, and I like it that the book is relatively short.
Jeff, I stumbled across this book and read it in an hour. I like the cover, too!
Nice collection although I don’t see how despair can be a deadly sin.
Patti, Joyce Carol Oates makes a pretty good case for “Despair.”
If you look up despair in the dictionary, it says “See Joyce Carol Oates.”
😉
Jeff, there’s more despair in Joyce Carol Oates stories than sex in Nora Roberts novels!
Again, I’m with Jeff on Joyce Carol Oates as “despair.”
The stuff that I’ve read by her I haven’t liked or just stopped reading.
I do have one of her books that I bought on your recommendation, George, but I haven’t read it yet. Sloth in action.
Beth, I admire Joyce Carol Oates’s productivity, but as you say her work tends to be downbeat. I do like her reviews and essays.
And if your local library doesn’t have it, and you don’t have $90 to spare, there’s this: https://archive.org/details/deadlysins00mary
I remember this coming out, but I’ll finally take a look at its actual contents…thanks!
Todd, DEADLY SINS slipped under my radar when it was first published. I’m glad I had the Good Fortune to find it last week.
Being totally areligious I have to laugh – but I really like the song by one of my favourite Rock groups.
The Traveling Wilburys!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=myvG0qxWrq0
Wolf, thanks for the link!
Thanks for the tip, George. Something else to add to the TBR pile if I can find it, since our local library doesn’t have a copy (and $90 is a tad steep for one book). I agree with adding cellphones to the “deadly sin” list, though!
BV, I’m sure your local Library can inter-loan a copy of DEADLY SINS for you. I don’t have a cell phone, but I would sure add it to the “Deadly Sins” list!
Lousy cover, overpriced, and nothing I’m inclined to read! Otherwise, it looks great!
Bob, I’m with you on the “overpriced” part of DEADLY SINS. I’m guessing the inclusion of THOMAS PYNCHON mades the book valuable.
I would love to find a copy of this book but it will have to be priced lower than $90. I never know what I might find at the book sale, so I will look there first.
Tracy, an inter-loan from your local Library might be able to bring you DEADLY SINS. Or, you might get lucky at a book sale.