The Brave New World of Twitterature

Hathaway as Austen engaged in the social media of her time

For a humorous change of pace, here are some tweets from a book written by two precocious students (Alexander Aciman and Emmett Rensi) when they were 19-year-olds at the University of Chicago. The book is entitled Twitterature: The World’s Greatest Books in Twenty Tweets or Less.

Some of the tweets are very witty, others are less so, and all of them indirectly make the point (if you think the point needs making) that literature cannot be surpassed by modern social media. Enjoy:

Madame Bovary – Gustave Flaubert

Bof I despise my mari‘s provincialism. Give me glitter et amour. “Tu es too high maintenance,” said Leon et Rodolphe. Alors I kill moi-meme.

Pride and Prejudice – Jane Austen

“Good day Miss Bennet.” “Good day Mr Darcy.” “Goodbye Miss Bennet.” “Goodbye Mr Darcy.” Will they, won’t they? Duh! Of course they will.

Howards End – E. M. Forster

“We lost your money, Bast,” Helen wept. “Have a pity shag.” “And I forgive Mr Wilcox his dalliance,” said Margaret. Modernity is so tiring.

In Search of Lost Time – Marcel Proust

I really don’t feel at all well. I can hardly get out of bed. Do you remember that smell of the madeleine? Those were the days, eh?

The Trial – Franz Kafka

It’s a stitch-up, I tell you. They’re out to get me. I’m not paranoid. Come in Mr K you’re time is up. Oh shit, I’m guilty of something.

Metamorphosis – Kafka

I seem to have been transformed into a large bug. Has this ever happened to any of you? No solution on Web MD.

Catcher in the Rye – J. D. Salinger

On a date with a girl I don’t care about. So bizarre that nature makes me do such funny, contradictory things. Hypocrisy to the max. Deep.

Paradise Lost  – John Milton

I’m bored. I’m the chairman of the board. My compatriots are r-tards. Inaction? Is that the best we can do? We art fucking demons!

Of Mice and Men – John Steinbeck

“Aw, Lennie. First you squash the mouse and now you’ve gone and squashed the girl. I’m gonna have to kill you.” “What about the rabbits?”

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