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inanis_sum in the_doves_diner

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Jan 04, 2006 10:44

Source:http://books.guardian.co.uk/departments/generalfiction/story/0,6000,1677659,00.html
Who's that boy/girl?JT LeRoy used to be a child prostitute. Now he is one of America's coolest young writers, the author of several rapturously ( Read more... )

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_cherryvanilla_ January 4 2006, 19:12:04 UTC

Wow. That's a bit of a headfuck. I'm grateful that the author wrote the article in a way that gets across the head-muddling complexity of the 'JT identity' without getting all righteous and "hurt" by it, though. I think that article gives the clearest indication of who JT Leroy really is/are so far. Still not sure how I feel about it.

Thanks for posting.

inanis_sum January 5 2006, 23:47:00 UTC

Yes, it seems less biased than most of the pieces that try to examine his idendity. Although I do admit pieces only focused on his idendity seem to get rather tiring after a while.

Curious. dew_dropped January 8 2006, 04:40:53 UTC

You wouldn't care if he didn't exist?

Re: Curious. _cherryvanilla_ January 8 2006, 21:24:19 UTC

Is that to me or Inanis_sum, or both?

If I'd known before I'd read the books that 'JT Leroy' didn't exist I wouldn't have cared. I appreciate the books as works of literature - ultimately that is all I need from them. At the moment though my overiding feeling concerning the confusion over JT's identity is one of irritation. I would appreciate a straight answer (though I by no means feel I'm automatically entitled to one). JT is welcome to play around with his/her/their identity, but the smoke and mirrors is getting rather tiresome.

Re: Curious. dew_dropped January 8 2006, 22:52:34 UTC

I agree. The work stands by itself, but I'm suspicious about the fact that his identity was used as part as the packaging product of the book and now they complain because so many people are obsessed by his identity.

I know that an artist doesn't have to feel any responsibility for his audience, but if he confides in them, if he recommends certain things to them, if he offers his opinions, then he is acknowledging a bond between the audience and him. I wonder if it's too much to ask, for him to exist if I'm going to listen to him and see Deadwood, or read this book, listen to that song, read his blog.

I don't want to feel like he was a product created for people like me. Like he's the composite of qualities that would be appealing to a certain sort.

If I'm going to buy something, I want to know I'm being sold something, then I can try to be smooth, suave, sophisticated and smile jadedly: "Truth, what is truth anyway?"

Re: Curious. _cherryvanilla_ January 9 2006, 23:38:40 UTC

Yes, that pretty much sums up how I feel about it. I didn't ask for anything from JT Leroy other than his writing. But he offered more. I'd rather he offered less - then perhaps I'd feel more comfortable with him reserving the right to be whatever he/she wants to be.

Seems the truth is out today anyway - or at least the NY Times' version of the truth. I'll post the article.

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