>You're preaching to the choir. I think there is good reason to believe that Rushdie would have continued to be relatively unknown if it hadn't been for all the fuss. As far as being an a_hole, well, a person can be an a_hole and still have talent. Judging by the "Satanic Verses", I think his talent leaves something to be desired.

Judging by the fact that Philip Roth is somehow well known, there's a lot to be desired about the behavior of the book market ;).

Anyone outside of the Western chalk circle must be perfect plus some just to enter.