Lighten up!

I want to congratulate you on running Bill McGarvey's gently snide review of Robert Coles's recent unfortunate book on Bruce Springsteen ("Born in the U.S.A.," March 26). If I might offer a piece of advice as a somewhat younger reader: articles like McGarvey's are all too rare in the magazine. I do not mean simply the subject matter. Rather, I liked the tone and McGarvey's willingness to criticize a legend like Coles who strayed well beyond his expertise. As I am sure you have heard before, Commonweal lacks humor and edge. The issues confronting our society and church are, of course, grimly serious, but does our press have to be so earnest and boring? Take a look at what Caitlin Flanagan is doing in the Atlantic--serious, trenchant social criticism that is laugh-out-loud funny. Some of your writers can be scandalously funny--Mark Massa, for one--and they should be encouraged to let forth. I imagine it is easier suggested than accomplished, but I want to encourage whatever attempts you are making to break the mold.

JOHN GROGAN

Philadelphia, Pa.

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