1. Kurt Vonnegut: I find Vonnegut to be one of the most interesting people of the 20th century (not just including authors). Through his literature he explored metaphysical themes and in person, he seems like a hilarious man.
2. Anne Frank: I developed a deep respect for Anne Frank when I studied her diary in a history class in college and later was lucky enough to see her annex in Amsterdam. It would be amazing to meet this young girl, and even more amazing to think of what she could have accomplished had she had the opportunity.
3. Margaret Atwood: Atwood is one of my favorite living authors and yes, I am jealous of everyone who got to meet her at BEA this year.
4. George Eliot (Mary Anne Evans): I've read just about every novel Eliot ever published and if I got the chance to meet her, I think we'd have a lot to talk about.
5. Maya Angelou: Maya Angelou has such an interesting history, both professionally and personally, and as one of the most unique voices in contemporary literature, it would be an honor to meet her.
6. Mark Twain (Samuel Langhorne Clemens): When I think of the great american novelist, I think of Mark Twain. Considered a "father of American literature," I don't know how he couldnt' make this list.
7.Ernest Hemingway: It's no secret that I have a thing for Heminway. He was a very interesting man (not to mention quite handsome) and I think he'd make fantastic company.
8. Jonathan Safran Foer: Foer is probably my favorite author of my generation. I absolutely loved Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close, one of my all-time favorite novels.
9. Jhumpa Lahiri: Lahiri won the Pulitzer in 2000 for The Interpreter of Maladies, but I went head over heals for The Namesake. She is a very talented author who offers a unique perspective into the lives of Indian Americans.
10. J. K. Rowling: I started reading the Harry Potter series when I was 13 and basically grew up with Harry. It might seem cliche to have Rowling on a list like this, but she is arguably one of the most influential writers of my generation and I think it would be pretty great to meet her.
Ernest Hemingway made my list too. But I also see some here that I easily could have added: 1, 2, 3, 5, & 6. Ten is too few for a subject like this :)
ReplyDeleteThis is a great list. I don't know that I'd actually DIE to meet anyone, but I definitely would do a whole lot to meet Vonnegut, Atwood, Angelou, Twain, David Foster Wallace and a few others. (Taking into account that a few of these authors are dead, maybe dying would be the only way to meet them. Hahaha!)
ReplyDeleteVonnegut does appear to be a very funny man . I think Hemingway was the kind of person who could catch the ear of every single person in a crowded room ; and he wouldn't even be speaking loud.
ReplyDeleteHemmingway would be awesome. I toured his house in Key West and it made me fall in love with his Novels all over again.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure Vonnegut was an awesome human being. I hope his legacy will live on for many centuries.
ReplyDeleteI "met" Margaret Atwood at a book signing (I don't know if saying hello and thank you to her count as meeting) and it felt like having an audience with royalty.
ReplyDeleteI really thought about putting Rowling on my list too, but had already hit 10. Love the books or hate them, she's definitely a significant literary player of the modern era.
ReplyDeleteI love the authors you listed. I was suppose to attend a lecture given by Vonnegut in his hometown (Indy) and was insanely excited. Then he died the week before he was suppose to give it. I was crushed.
ReplyDeleteI would really enjoy meeting Anne Frank and J.K.Rowlling. I wouldn't mind meeting Mark Twain as well.
ReplyDeleteI also would enjoy meeting Eça de Queirós, he's a Portuguese author and one of the precursors of the realism in Portugal.
Ah! You've got some great names up there. Kurt Vonnegut...Anne Frank...I completely agree with everyone you listed! :)
ReplyDeleteRowling is on my list as well...I agree Hemingway would be a lot of fun!
ReplyDeleteGood choices! I blog about being Vonnegut's biographer, incidentally, at "Writing Kurt Vonnegut" www.writingkurtvonnegut.com
ReplyDeleteBest,
Charles J. Shields
And So It Goes: Kurt Vonnegut, A Life (Holt, November)
George Eliot is on my list, I've heard awesome things about Vonnegut as a speaker, and I almost included Hemingway, but I decided to not compose my list entirely of modernist drunks (although I kind of wanted to).
ReplyDeleteCome visit me at The Scarlet Letter.
What a great list. Rowling was on mine too. Otherwise we differ, but I'd like to meet all your choices as well. I did hear Kurt Vonnegut speak at my undergrad uni once. He was very charming and funny.
ReplyDeleteAwww, how cool! you've seen the annex in Amsterdam. I also would love to meet Anne Frank. Her diary is one of my favorites. :)
ReplyDeleteHmm maybe I should make a list too.
You had me at Kurt Vonnegut.
ReplyDeleteIf you're ever in Indianapolis, you should pay a visit to the newly opened Kurt Vonnegut Memorial Library. They also have a monthly book club which I've been participating in. Its been a real joy for me learning more about him and his work.
ReplyDeleteGreat point about Rowling. Not a cliche at all - she has influenced a generation in a way that many who don't belong to that generation can't quite comprehend. I also agree with the Eliot assessment - she was a brilliant writer. I can only assume she'd have been brilliant to talk to as well.
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