Knock "Lobster"

Now that The Boston Globe's DFW/Reichl article has been bandied about, all that "Consider the Lobster" stuff is pretty much dead, right? Ah, not so fast, my friends. RP has been digging in the darkest, most unforgiving reaches of the 'Web (a/k/a the Gourmet online forum) and brings you some reader reaction to Wallace's essay.

First, an observation from the Globe's Alex Beam (re: "CTL") that seems prescient:

Lobster death does come up, again and again, in now-classic DFW fashion, with footnotes within footnotes, parentheses within parentheses, and a look-at-me lexicon that will propel readers to the dictionary, or to the magazine's more easily digestible fare.

Now, reader reaction:

Consider the Idiot Writer
From: Cancelled Subscrtption [sic--and one of many to follow]

Cancel my subscription starting now. I don't care how many issues are left I don't want this magazine in my house again. Your article on "Consider the Lobster" was written by a pompous,arrogant two- named twit. This is a FOOD magazine not a platform for social commentary and political correctness. We have numerous other cooking magazines that yield supurb reciepes and provide everything we need. Your lectures are not needed.

And, please don't let anyone put this down to "we got a reaction, we got thier attention" - - that's good. It was all bad and very negative. In our area we will ow strongly recommend our friends, neighbors and relatives never subscribe to your over the top, arrogance. We will contact the business office tomorrow. Good- bye and not good luck

Irritated in New England

***

Well, your subscription is safe
From: unknown

This site is not monitored by the magazines.

***

Awful article
From: arriba!

I agree--I disliked the article also. But there is no excuse for the poor editing--sentences ending with prepositions, awkward phrases, and the tiny footnotes that scrawled across the page that were impossible to follow. I was going to write a letter to the magazine, but I assumed it would fall on deaf ears.

***

Stirring
From: Kevin

Poor Gourmet. Poor Ruth. Are we cooking any longer? Or just stirring the pot?

(That one is pretty good, I must admit--ed.)

***

Here's another thread, same topic:

"Consider the Lobster", Aug., 2004
From: Jim Keesee

Forget the lobster - - how about considering your readers! I have been enjoying reading your travel articles for over 20 years until reading this one. I resent being preached to - - I felt I was back in college reading some advanced science text! The footnotes (with more footnotes to explain the footnotes) simply overpowered any meaningfull drama in the subject matter. Should you be compelled to send this writer on another assignment, how about making it Mars! Jim K.

***

Consider Opening Your Mind
From: Beth S.

"Consider the Lobster" was a great piece for the magazine. The article has a unique flow (I love the footnotes!) and a fantastic interpretation of the MLF experience. At no point did I feel that the authors tone was lecturing, rather it was illuminating to many aspects of lobster consumption and more. An article that turns a head or two once in a while keeps the magazine relevant to the exploration of all things gourmet.

***

Only one clinker in over 20 years of articles?
From: Reza Hakqil

You should be writing a note of gratitude instead of penning a complaint.

***

Mindless or mindful?
From: Vessie

Perhaps it is not so bad being jolted out of comfortable numbness once in a while. This article is gripping, witty and provocative.

More updates to come if events warrant.