I clicked on and read your post mostly because I’m reading lesbian novels - a sort of similar genre (same but different?). The best gay writer discovery was Guillaume Dustan 🙂
Yes, I read "dans ma chambre" (trans. to "In My Room"). His work is interesting, a little unpleasant for me in a way that's probably not going to bother you as he focuses on male bodies and sexuality a lot.
Re: recommendation, I could never chose a single favorite. Depends on what type of book you're looking for: classic? romantic? edgy? plot-driven or more modernist?
Next year I'd like you to write your year in straight nonfiction.
Great post. I've now read a few of this style of post on Substack and it's very damning of the book review industrial complex that this form is so much more interesting and compelling. I definitely think the long, New York Review/LRB style piece remains deeply worthwhile, but the standard 800 word NYTimes book review piece is pretty much useless. The argument for it used to be that it was an efficient way to know what you should and shouldn't read, but your post is vastly more efficient. And I actually believe you believe what you're writing.
Nathaniel P gets better with age because it’s been over a decade and nothing has come close to it in its genre.
Or if I’m mistaken, please somebody let me know because I must read it.
I clicked on and read your post mostly because I’m reading lesbian novels - a sort of similar genre (same but different?). The best gay writer discovery was Guillaume Dustan 🙂
I think I have heard of "Dans ma chambre," in fact. What's your favorite lesbian novel - I'd really like to read one!
Yes, I read "dans ma chambre" (trans. to "In My Room"). His work is interesting, a little unpleasant for me in a way that's probably not going to bother you as he focuses on male bodies and sexuality a lot.
Re: recommendation, I could never chose a single favorite. Depends on what type of book you're looking for: classic? romantic? edgy? plot-driven or more modernist?
Next year I'd like you to write your year in straight nonfiction.
Great post. I've now read a few of this style of post on Substack and it's very damning of the book review industrial complex that this form is so much more interesting and compelling. I definitely think the long, New York Review/LRB style piece remains deeply worthwhile, but the standard 800 word NYTimes book review piece is pretty much useless. The argument for it used to be that it was an efficient way to know what you should and shouldn't read, but your post is vastly more efficient. And I actually believe you believe what you're writing.