Thursday, January 10, 2013

Response from Warwick Sabin

RESPONSE FROM WARWICK BARON REID SABIN, PUBLISHER OF OXFORD AMERICAN, TO TWO EMAILS SENT HIM ABOUT THE BOOK REVIEW WHICH SMEARS THE UNDERGROUND LITERARY ALLIANCE:
















2 comments:

Wred Fright said...

That's quite a name! Are you sure he's not a fictional character? If he's a fictional character, then it's not surprising that he hasn't responded, since fictional characters tend not to use email. Oddly enough though, they often have Twitter accounts.

King Wenclas said...

We never really know about these characters, whether they're fictional or not, Wred, do we? For instance, I'm beginning to think Tom Bissell is a fictional character. There's no reality to him. No substance. No backbone certainly. An empheral demi-puppet from Prospero's island. A badly written early draft of an attack dog from the desk and malicious pen of David Eggers. Truly a marionette on strings, which puppetmaster Eggers brings out and hides on whim.
Now the attack dog puppet has brought forth his own version of a literary attack dog in one Professor Lichtman. Puppet for a puppet. You should've seen the arrogant emails Lichtman sent me. Hilarious! Daring me to reveal any inaccuracy in his ridiculous review. He turned out to be more of an attack puppy. The $25 Lichtman told me he was paid for that review (Imagine! Sell your integrity and tarnish your reputation for a mere $25) turns out to be all the piece was worth.
Um, Bissell-- I mean, Dave Eggers-- I suggest next time try accomplishing the feat yourself.
(Does Professor Lichtman really believe that, in a fair exchange, Tom Bissell could "eviscerate" the ULA? Hmm.)
**************
Bissell uses "purported" in regard to the ULA's victory in debate against the Paris Review staff. It was surely that: a victory. Four of the ULA's founders were there-- Doug, Mike, and Ann as well as myself. My three colleagues, as you know, were and are tough, biting, intelligent folks. The preppies showed up in cashmere coats and silk scarves, but not a whole lot of verve or brains.
It's no accident that to this day no one from that milieu has dared debate the ULA again.