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Itâs a collection of essays, short stories, poems, reviews of other booksâŠ.. and stuff. At points irritatingly pretentious, at others awe-striking and wise. He was a rude and violent person as well as a sexist who for some reason believed himself not to be, but Iâll stand by his writing, particularly this book, being some of the best ever. His style is so markedly his and absolutely brilliant. Iâm not selling it well but itâs kind of impossible to say nice things about the man, as much as I adore (most of) his writing.
Feb 2, 2025
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If you know me you know I am Gore Vidalâs number one fan but for somebody who was known for being so coldly and precisely self-aware, he was often simultaneously totally lacking in self awareness. He created elaborate copium narratives about himself just as much as if not more than the people he accused of doing so and seemed to exist in a perpetual and unyielding state of self-deception and repression, with a very interesting definition of what it means to be truthful. Thatâs a major part of what makes him so fascinating to me.
I love his hateration towards Henry Miller because half of it is real and accurate and half of it reads like narcissistic projectionâcritiquing Miller for his arrogance and elaborate self-mythologizing when his own biography ended up being entitled Empire of the Selfâand all of it is hilarious and cutting in his typical fashion.
âYet Henry never seems to do anything for anyone, other than to provide moments of sexual glory which we must take on faith. He does, however, talk a lot and the people he knows are addicted to his conversation. âDonât stop talking nowâŠplease,â begs a woman whose life is being changed, as Henry in a manic mood tells her all sorts of liberating things like âNothing would be bad or ugly or evilâ if we really let ourselves go. But itâs hard to make people understand that.â To which the only answer is that of another straight man in the text who says, âYou said it, Henry. Jesus, having you around is like getting a shot in the arm.â For a man who boasts of writing nothing but the truth, I find it more than odd that not once in the course of a long narrative does anyone say, âHenry, youâre full of shit.â It is possible, of course, that no one ever did, but I doubt it.â
I love his hateration towards Henry Miller because half of it is real and accurate and half of it reads like narcissistic projectionâcritiquing Miller for his arrogance and elaborate self-mythologizing when his own biography ended up being entitled Empire of the Selfâand all of it is hilarious and cutting in his typical fashion.
âYet Henry never seems to do anything for anyone, other than to provide moments of sexual glory which we must take on faith. He does, however, talk a lot and the people he knows are addicted to his conversation. âDonât stop talking nowâŠplease,â begs a woman whose life is being changed, as Henry in a manic mood tells her all sorts of liberating things like âNothing would be bad or ugly or evilâ if we really let ourselves go. But itâs hard to make people understand that.â To which the only answer is that of another straight man in the text who says, âYou said it, Henry. Jesus, having you around is like getting a shot in the arm.â For a man who boasts of writing nothing but the truth, I find it more than odd that not once in the course of a long narrative does anyone say, âHenry, youâre full of shit.â It is possible, of course, that no one ever did, but I doubt it.â
Feb 12, 2025
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đjust a delight to read. as much as I love billy burroughs, cooper's awfully brutal in his accusations of him "selling out". also understood the language of the internet far better than a lot of current literature with internet prose does ("The Sluts" is at once shocking and feels like it could've been written yesterday).
Feb 14, 2025
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đEqually excellent to âThe Corrections.â
His non fiction is terrific too, eg, âMy Bird Problem,â âHow To Be Alone,â âFarther Away.â
Any writer who loves the Mekons as much as Jonathan does canât be bad, right? đ¶
Mar 1, 2024
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âïžI have a very strong desire for control over every aspect of my life and Iâve never been able to roll with things. Lately Iâm trying to let go of this so I can participate in my âfriendshipsâ, which I have really been neglecting in recent years. Today a friend texted and asked me to go to the farmers market with her. At first I felt scared (lol) and inclined to ignore the message but I decided instead I would agree to go, and within 5 minutes I was in her car with her. It was a total blur and I was anxious out of my mind but I felt very grateful to spend time with someone I love. Iâm terrible at conversing but even just to stand beside her was nice. We hugged before parting ways. I am glad that I did this.
Feb 8, 2025
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đ«If it irritates you to see people being negative, you know thats not something you yourself want to be. Dwell on why negativity bothers you. Iâd guess it has something to do with an innate knowledge that we all deserve kindness. Typically super negative people feel horribly about themselves, they have no other reason to say the things they do. Itâs the type of person that tends to annoy me as well but when I think about that it makes me really sad for them, and then it feels easier to be compassionate. Anger releases dopamine. If youâre sad all the time, it feels better to get angry for a while. Theyâre struggling and desperately trying to make themselves feel better. We all need each others love.
Jan 28, 2025
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đŹI know people typically sit while they do it, but Iâve found laying down on my acupressure mat to be extremely helpful with meditation. I have not been practicing long and its still very difficult for me, but the acupressure makes me physically relax to the point that I am able to be listening and breathing calmly and feeling âokayâ enough to want to put my heart into the practice.
Feb 11, 2025