Introduction

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The "Best of 2005" lists are already starting to pop up in print and on-line but, really, how many times do you need to be told that Sufjan Stevens made a great record and Sam Lipsyte wrote a funny book? Here at Syntax of Things, my collaborator, TJ, and I wanted to do something a little different.

We were recently inspired by a post created at Information Leafblower in which Kyle polled a number of music bloggers to create a democratic list of who the most exciting/talented musicians are today. His results and the presentation are impressive.

TJ and I felt a similar list could be created for writers. But rather than narrowing it to authors in the United States or authors who've recently received a lot of attention, we decided to ask a wide range of litbloggers to tell us the writers who aren't receiving the attention they should. We allowed the contributors to define "receiving attention" however they preferred, whether it be by the NYTBR, or all of print media, or the litbloggers, or some combination, basically however they chose to define it.  We asked each to provide us with up to five names and a short explanation as to why each writer deserves more attention.

As you'll see, the results are interesting.  We were able to compile a list of 55 writers from 15 different litbloggers who hailed from four continents (North and South America, Europe, and Australia).  Of these 55 writers, we had only two who received more than one vote.  In addition, the writers ranged from obscure Brazilian poets to a surrealist painter to young adult science fiction writers. Some names are familiar; others we're sure you won't recognize.

So without further ado, we give you the results.  Please feel free to leave comments seconding the nominations, arguing their inclusion, or suggesting other writers.  And be sure to visit all of the contributors' blogs for great content about books and writers.

+ The Underrated Writers

Comments

[gwenda]

Wow, you guys have really outdone yourselves. Great list!

[Johan Anglemark]

How are the literary big names Michel Houellebecq and Ryszard Kapuscinski not receiving "the attention they should"? At least in Europe everything they publish is reviewed in all major media, and at least Kapuscinski is consistently nominated for the Nobel prize every year. Is this a unique American phenomenon or what do the people who nominated these two widely fêted and internationally recognized writers mean by "not to be receiving the attention they should"?

I'm not criticizing, I'm curious from a European perspective. All in all, great list, though!

[Dr.Sue]

I would recommend Leora Skolkin-Smith's "Edges." This is the first novel to be published by Grace Paley's Glad Day Books, and the connection between editor and writer is clear: Skolkin-Smith combines a strong political sensibility (in this case regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict) with deep humanity and a gripping story. Skolkin-Smith has an almost Proustian ability to draw the reader into the physical world she describes. This is a fascinating debut.

[Jozef Imrich]

Wow,

What a neat yet thought-provoking list peppered with amazing links ..
CODA: Lists are mass therapy
http://www.triangle.com/books/zane/story/2856241p-9311865c.html