I’ve always wanted to be an adjective
August 31st, 2006 | Uncategorized
A really nice review of Fun Home just came out on a site called The Simon. Here’s the pertinent passage: “There is enough distinctive material in her squirmy black line art with pale grey-green wash to actually say Bechdelian.”
16 Responses to “I’ve always wanted to be an adjective”
It’s a MOST excellent review – I love reviews that pull together things that feel familiar but that I hadn’t quite acknowledged myself.
http://www.saraskates.typepad.com
Few people grow up aspiring to become a part of grammar, but it sure is nice when it happens.
Now that it’s official, perhaps I will find a chance to use it in one of my reports! 🙂
Yes, yes, finally! Now I can use this word (which I have used in other contexts, about your approach to literature) and be understood!!! I am thrilled!!
Becoming part of the literary vocabulary is high praise indeed, and well-deserved! I’m so happy for all the success this book has had, as it was by far my favorite book of the last several years. And I recently got my master’s in English Lit, so I read A LOT. My sincere congratulations.
Reaction #1: How neat!!
Reaction #2: Great. Just when we’ve all learned
how to pronounce beck-DUL now we have to figure
out how to pronounce this (granted, cool) new adjective:
BECK-dul-ee-an? beck-DULL-ee-un? or my personal
favorite: beck-du-LEE-un?
I’m going to call things “Bechdelic”. “Bechdelic strobe light poster”.
OMIGOD! Your’e a transitive verb!
or should I say transitive adverb?
My friend now tells me I’ve once again got it wrong–to be a transitve verb, or adverb, it would have to be something like “Bechdelized”, such as, “You completely bechdelized that paragraph.” Apologies.
Now, this statement is going to show my total ignorance of the English language conmpared with all you writers…..but I thought adverbs ended in an “ly”?
Deb–
as in “that picture is so bechdelly descriptive”?
Like you, I’m not sure whether adverbs always have -ly or not….
Oh, for those who were encouraging when I was lamenting my joblessness and my family’s dislike thereof: I’m working! I got a job! And, I don’t have to be a real grownup when I go to work….excellent.
Alison–YAY! It would be very cool to be a part of speech. Tell us all whethere it’s as exciting as it seems!
LOL Congrats kat on the job! I am just a therapist so I don’t always understand all the indepth talk about authors or English language…..but hey, put someone who is mentally ill and drug addicted in front of me and BAM! I got them into treatment and the whole thing! We all go with our strong suits. I am wondering if I am a rather Bechdellian therapist. Hmmmmmmmmmm…….
thanks deb!
my question for the world is: do we have to stick to the reviewer’s definition of Bechdelian? Can we develop our own definitions?
I thought I was the ONLY one who wanted to be an abjective! I am not only touched at our relatability, but very happy that you’re being acknowledged in a way you deserve.
I just bought a copy of “Fun Home” this weekend. Which means I’ve broken my vow not to buy any more books until I finish reading all my other ones, but I figured it’s both literary AND art, so it doesn’t count. Or counts twice so it’s ok. Or something that else that makes it ok. In any case, I have no regrets, because I’m sure I’ll love it!
thanks for the mention (i wrote the article at the simon). my editor informed me that my little lonely outpost on the web had received literally hundreds of hits directed from your site. let me know if and when you pass through los angeles next. i’d love to meet the cat’s pajamas in person.
warmly,
alan
proustitute@gmail.com