Books and Arts; Book Review;The young and the restless;
文艺；书评；年轻与焦躁;

British and American fiction gets off to a promising start in 2010;
2010年英美小说闪亮开篇;

The Unnamed. By Joshua Ferris.
《莫名》，作者约书亚·费里斯。

VLADIMIR NABOKOV, who liked to observe other people, once declared that “professional book reviewers are veritable bookmakers”. They gleefully declare who's in, who's out, and ask: “Where are the snows of yesteryear?” Hot young novelists, many believe, are meant to follow a predictable script. First, burst onto the scene with some bold, voice-of-the-generation debut—preferably with a comely author photo. Then, years later, deliver to the expectant public a sophomore effort that is, alas, disappointing. Critics favour lamenting squandered promise to praising yet another fine book from someone with unlined skin.

喜欢评论他人的费拉迪米尔·纳博科夫曾经宣称“专业书评家是名副其实的庄家”，他们兴致勃勃地宣布谁是入时的，谁是落伍的，并问出“去年的雪在哪里？”这样的问题。许多走红的青年小说家都被认为是循着老套的模子走出来的。首先，在文艺界以大胆表露情感，代表时代之声的形象如惊雷般亮相出场——最好再有着英俊的长相。接着，在数年之后向期待中的大众呈上他一个黄毛小子呕心沥血的成果，然而，却只不过是令人失望的作品。批评家们倒也热衷于哀叹对于某位青年才俊又一部好作品尽溢美之词的许诺又无法兑现了。

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