ustxtxb_obs_1971_01_08_50_00016-00000_000.pdf

Read the Observer Regularly Subscribe for a Friend If you share the disappointment of many citizens who feel that their daily newspapers don’t always provide adequate in-depth coverage of events and issues that matter, you should consider joining the community of Observer readersnow 10,000 strong in its 16th year. “The Observer developed what almost might be called a school of freeswinging, sometimes superficial but always on the mark of reality, word-loving writing that … has spread across liberal journalism generally a new liveliness and honesty.” The South and The Nation by Pat Watters “B righ t, militantly crusading. ” The Progressive “A lanze portion of its readers are articulate, and are powers in their communities. The Observer represents a rare thing in Texas independent journalism.” The Independent “. . . that outpost of reason in the Southwest.” The New York Review of Books “Perhaps the most articulate voice of Texas liberalism.” The Dallas Morning News “Voices dissent to almost every power bloc or politician of consequence in the state, from far left to far right. . . . Time and again .. . the Observer has cracked stories ignored by the state’s big dailies. . . .” Newsweek “No doubt the best political journal in the state.” The Reporter A journal of “considerable influence in Texas public life.” The New York Times . . with influence felt far beyond the state borders.” Time “Reports regularly on political shenanigans which are seldom mentioned in the metropolitan press.” “An intelligent, old-fashioned, in-the-grain political journal.” Harper’s Magazine “One of the best sources of state political news available.” Texas Young Republican newspaper the state’s bell-wether liberal publication.” Austin American-Statesman “One of the best publications in the country remains The Texas Observer.” The New York Post “It will not knuckle under or tone down its various stands for the sake of its advertising dollars.” The Alamo Messenger The Observer is “the conscience of the political community in Texas . ..” The New Republic “More potent than daily newspapers with 10 or 20 times its circulation.” Human Events t i 1111111=wommsmmeammommessill street street state zip [ I This is a gift subscription; send card signed as follows: [ I bill me I city I I This is a gift signed as follows: state zip subscription; send card city from check enclosed [ bill me from I check enclosed 1=1=11111111======111111111=1====1=11==e1===8 1=1=1=111111111=1=1118111511111=1.11111111 THE TEXAS OBSERVER 504 WEST 24 ST. AUSTIN, TEXAS 78705 the preceding page, in conversation with Patsy, he referred to the uncle as “Roger.” One other example; these three consecutive lines appear: She called a taxi and directed it to the drugstore, convinced that her luck had changed. To her surprise, it had. [Italics mine] She’s either not really convinced, or she’s easy to surprise. PHRASES Late afternoon depression fell on Patsy like a hot quilt . Finally she wrenched her bottom away from his hand. He exuded waves of stiffness at such times. Kenny Cambridge, of the beard and Bermuda shorts . . . . . . she was a natural three-orgasm girl. They were throwing verbal daggers at each other. . . . she felt as heavy and sluggish as mud … Her throat and chest felt stuffed, as if she were an unemptied vacuum cleaner. … bland and silent as a fruit. . . . her body was the color of a nicely turned French fry. One night Patsy had almost succeeded in getting to sleep unscrewed… SYNTAX Weak syntax has to do with inappropriate use or placement of words, phrases, or clauses. Two average examples: They gradually worked back to a condition of politeness, but there they stopped. The word “condition” is misused here; there is no such thing as a “condition” of “politeness.” Anything would be better than prolonged indefiniteness, it seemed to her. The “it seemed to her” is used in the way “she said” or “she thought” are normally used. But it’s awkward and it’s too long, Nothing is gained from the abnormal position, and so the normal order “It seemed to her that …” is more pleasant. I have read McMurtry’s In A Narrow Grave and found his essays intelligent, pleasant, and interesting. Several incidents in Moving On are dealt with in essay form in In A Narrow Grave, and, with the possible exception of the gunfight at the Gulf-Air lounge, the material seems to fare better in McMurtry’s essays than in his fiction. It may be that disappointment over this discrepancy gives my criticism of Moving On an edge, and I do know that any writer who asks you to read 800 pages of material is liable to irritate you a lot if he irritates you a little. 16 The Texas Observer Personal Service Quality Insurance ALICE ANDERSON AGENCY INSURANCE & REAL ESTATE 808A E. 46th, Austin, Texas 465-6577 4 1,4, / .