The History of Literature According to Facebook

Many authors today interact with readers through tweets and blogposts.

What if these social media had been available throughout the history of literature? Would Keats have written love notes on Fanny's wall? Would Shakespeare have made his relationship status public? Would Hemingway become Mayor of every bar in Paris?

Wylie Overstreet's new book, "The History of the World According to Facebook," (It Books, $14.99) answers some of these questions, with its tongue firmly in its virtual cheek. We took the best literary tales from the book, and reproduce them below.

"Ah, Facebook," wrote the author in the press release accompanying the book. "We all make fun of it - and we're all on it."

Which famous author do you think would have left a great status update? Write it in the comments!

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Comments

[Phemale]

09:48 PM on 10/19/2011

No Bukowski working at the post office?

[HermaO]

09:01 AM on 10/18/2011

The Twilight and Catcher in the Rye ones were hilarious.
And unfortunately for the world, the Romeo and Juliet one is very true.

[anchises868]

01:30 PM on 10/16/2011

I have to admit it: I LOL'd.

[Beth Hill]

04:22 AM on 10/16/2011

funny stuff.

[Droid Noir]

03:04 AM on 10/16/2011

Now this, was brilliant.

[Little Willie Sockspeare]

11:20 PM on 10/15/2011

Ripping off Shakespeare? The nerve of some people!

"How to Write Your Novel in Nine Weeks."

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Little-Willie-Sockspeare/221793637875059

[ChrisRoberts]

06:52 PM on 10/15/2011

Norman Mailer: It was only a pen knife!

Adele Morales (Wife 2): It hurts real bad!

Norman Mailer: I hurt real bad all the time for christ's sake!

[karen lyons kalmenson]

11:25 AM on 10/15/2011

authors on facebook:

sir francis bacon to william shakespeare: if you want to share my poems, pics and stati, ask first. also do not take credit for what i wrote. if you share my stuff, add my name, OK...
if you keep doing this i will have to block and unfriend you.

shakespeare to sir francis: OMG WTF to de(friend) or not to de, that is the question?
i blocketh you, starting now