Thanks for the remembrance, with its call-out for recreating a space where intelligent people went to read intelligent people providing their thoughts on sometimes intelligent, sometimes outlandish, sometimes extraordinary, sometimes very ordinary or even bad books. I wrote for Pat and Alix for years on books ranging from best sellers and literary events to stories of old trucks and vans in Northern California. They gave me a lot of freedom. Pat encouraged controversy: not just for its own sake but I think to underline the idea that there was nothing sacrosanct about any writing, by acknowledged master or first-timer. She wanted the Chronicle book section to be its own beast: a West Coast beast and beat, unlike the NYTimes or Washington Post or even Chicago Tribune (some of the other papers that had stand-alone book sections at the time). I loved the moment after I sent off my review when Pat or Alix would get on the phone and we’d hammer out a sentence, cut lines, argue about whether I’d actually said what I wanted to, versus what I thought polite to say. I didn’t always agree with Pat’s take, or she with mine but I’m a better writer and reader for my years working with her. And there are a lot of readers all over the Bay Area who are better readers because of her. It’s a different book world we live in now, where we go to GoodReads or Amazon or YouTube for our reviews--to post them, to find them. I miss the old one, as I miss a lot about newspapers and the place they once held in our civic intelligence. Nice to be reminded.
Beautiful words, Paul. I thought of when I was writing this--I used to love those days when we were in the same Sunday review section. Didn't know you then, but loved reading you. I think your take on Pat is spot on. I remember those conversations, after she'd read something, she had a way of being scorchingly honest, but still giving you the feeling she was on your side.
Steve, I read many of Pat Holt’s reviews (and Herb Caen’s dottings) way back when, and likely read some of yours too. The Pink sections of the Chron were my favorite, particularly because I had one of my first published articles in 1989 in the Sunday Punch, that strange and fun agglomeration of articles, stories and word spasms.
Best success on the managers book. Too bad Billy Martin isn’t around to throw a punch at you.
Yes, Peter Sussman was the editor who worked on my piece (and sent me a bunch of handwritten edits on it, which I still have—those were the days). He did seem like a good guy. And he’s still around—excellent!
Steve --
Thanks for the remembrance, with its call-out for recreating a space where intelligent people went to read intelligent people providing their thoughts on sometimes intelligent, sometimes outlandish, sometimes extraordinary, sometimes very ordinary or even bad books. I wrote for Pat and Alix for years on books ranging from best sellers and literary events to stories of old trucks and vans in Northern California. They gave me a lot of freedom. Pat encouraged controversy: not just for its own sake but I think to underline the idea that there was nothing sacrosanct about any writing, by acknowledged master or first-timer. She wanted the Chronicle book section to be its own beast: a West Coast beast and beat, unlike the NYTimes or Washington Post or even Chicago Tribune (some of the other papers that had stand-alone book sections at the time). I loved the moment after I sent off my review when Pat or Alix would get on the phone and we’d hammer out a sentence, cut lines, argue about whether I’d actually said what I wanted to, versus what I thought polite to say. I didn’t always agree with Pat’s take, or she with mine but I’m a better writer and reader for my years working with her. And there are a lot of readers all over the Bay Area who are better readers because of her. It’s a different book world we live in now, where we go to GoodReads or Amazon or YouTube for our reviews--to post them, to find them. I miss the old one, as I miss a lot about newspapers and the place they once held in our civic intelligence. Nice to be reminded.
Beautiful words, Paul. I thought of when I was writing this--I used to love those days when we were in the same Sunday review section. Didn't know you then, but loved reading you. I think your take on Pat is spot on. I remember those conversations, after she'd read something, she had a way of being scorchingly honest, but still giving you the feeling she was on your side.
Great to be reminded of these wonderful old timers! These days I turn to Alta magazine and their book club for excellent California-based writers.
Thanks - will give Alta a fresh look!
This is a lovely tribute, I learned so much about Pat, whose words I read for years and always admired. I had no idea she was such a mensch! Naomi
Steve, I read many of Pat Holt’s reviews (and Herb Caen’s dottings) way back when, and likely read some of yours too. The Pink sections of the Chron were my favorite, particularly because I had one of my first published articles in 1989 in the Sunday Punch, that strange and fun agglomeration of articles, stories and word spasms.
Best success on the managers book. Too bad Billy Martin isn’t around to throw a punch at you.
Have fun, Tom Bentley
Thanks, Tom! That sounds like you wrote for the Punch when Peter Sussman was editor--a great newspaperman and fascinating guy.
Yes, Peter Sussman was the editor who worked on my piece (and sent me a bunch of handwritten edits on it, which I still have—those were the days). He did seem like a good guy. And he’s still around—excellent!