Becca Rothfeld+

Becca Rothfeld values the literature produced by this creator to illustrate that parasocial performance can result in great writing.

“a lot of great literature is largely a matter of parasocial performance, honestly; just look at Eve Babitz!”

Becca Rothfeld values it as a perfect novel to illustrate that even the greatest works are subject to irrational public hatred.

“There are 12,217 one-star review of Madame Bovary, a perfect novel, on Goodreads.”

Becca Rothfeld considers this her favorite among the early works of Elfriede Jelinek.

Becca Rothfeld cites this as a prime example of work that is unbearably ugly in a good way.

Becca Rothfeld identifies this as one of the early works that qualifies as successfully and compellingly ugly.

Becca Rothfeld names her Substack after this novel to honor its significance in her reading life.

Becca Rothfeld recommends this book because it was a recent reading experience that she found valuable enough to share with her audience.

Becca Rothfeld values this work as a favorite selection from her recent focused reading of the author.

“my favorite so far is An Academic Question.”

Becca Rothfeld values this work for its focus on dancing and movement, which aligned perfectly with the environment at the Center.

“a book about dancing and philosophizing in motion that made such perfect affective sense in a place where we could have dance parties at our leisure.”

Becca Rothfeld identifies this as potentially their favorite book in the world, citing a transformative experience after teaching it at the Center.

“perhaps my favorite book in the world (I’ve since gotten two lines of it tattooed on both arms, entirely because of how reading it at the Center made me feel like I was levitating)”

Becca Rothfeld values the show as a rare, acceptable exception to the goal of abandoning screens for good.

“except perhaps for the purpose of watching old episodes of Firing Line on YouTube every now and then.”