last one

[Fortune]

"It is his dubious distinction to have proved what nobody would think of deny, that Romero at the age
of sixty-four writes with all the characteristics of maturity."

In my reading, the sentence is simplified as "his dubious distinction have proved that Romero at the age
of sixty-four write with all the characteristics of maturity". Is my reading correct?


But what is "dubious distinction"? is it similar to "questionable distinction", in the other words, "his distintion is questionable"?
if it is right, I even get more confusion
Plz explain to me.

Thanks.

[Carol.T]

Hi Fortune,
Your simplification of the sentence seems right to me...but I am a little confused as to what the sentence really means. From what I understand, someone who has a distinct characteristic of being doubtful has proven everyone else wrong in this case.

The structure of the sentence is also wrong. Shouldn't it be:
"It is his dubious distinction to have proven what nobody would think of denying, that Romero at the age
of sixty-four writes with all the characteristics of maturity."

Maybe someone else can help us here...

Carol