27 May 2009

From CT book reviewer to editor of The Monthly, all by 23

| johnboy
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The Age brings word of the rise of Ben Naparstek, 23, to the editorship of the much quoted but little read The Monthly magazine.

Eight years ago Ben was writing book reviews here for the Canberra Times.

Some people might think that the editors role requires years of experience, but Ben reckons he’s been an adult for a whole five years now so when are we going to get over it?

Here in the bunker we suspect he’s going to chafe a bit when he figures out he’s been given the job to be Robert Manne’s sock puppet.

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Is that the bitter smell of sour grapes in the air? Good on him! At 23 I was too busy wasting my time enjoying bad beer, bad company and awful music. Kudos to the young Rupert!

But i’m a real boy.

This last Sunday’s Australian called him ‘Perfect’ in the headline, and had this to say:
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/business/story/0,28124,25524912-7582,00.html
Naparstek replaces 39-year-old anthropologist Sally Warhaft, who left The Monthly after a dispute with the editorial board… had clashed with the board over its refusal to allow her to commission essays…

The Age today:
There is a perception that Naparstek will be easily directed by them; that he is, in effect, a puppet. How will he respond if there is a major difference of opinion? “…they made it clear to me that I’m the editor and I’ll be commissioning stories, so I don’t know how that situation could come up. They’re an advisory board…”

They made a fine choice of puppet, that board.

Probably pays better than I was at 23, too.

neanderthalsis10:01 am 27 May 09

Granny said :

I think you can afford to chafe a little when you’re 23.

A bit of talcum powder can help that…

I think you can afford to chafe a little when you’re 23. It will still look good on the resume.

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