South African writer J. M. Coetzee, who has long been on the short list for the Nobel Prize in
Literature,
yesterday’s item was posted, betting on Philip Roth because of his
Hollywood credentials, a reader sent this e-mail:
“Roth? You think? With Naipaul in
2001, Roth tomorrow could be perceived as two solid whacks against Islam right close to one
another. Roth is worthy. My bet: won’t get it this year. I’m in for Transtroemer. Upheaval, chaos,
America at odds with much of Europe; stick with the local boy.”
This was my reply: “I thought it was clear from the tone I took that I was kidding. Guess not.
I do agree with you that it doesn’t look like Roth’s year. But the hometown boy doesn’t seem right
to me. I’d go with Coetzee if Adonis doesn’t get it. How’s that for hedging? And probably wrong,
too.”
Now comes the really important question: What does Harold Bloom have to say?
